The US Navy will christen its second expeditionary sea base, the USNS Hershel "Woody" Williams on Saturday, October 21.
The ceremony will take place at General Dynamics' San Diego shipyard. Construction on the ship started in October 2015. Its keel was laid in August 2016 and General Dynamics NASSCO launched it a year later in August 2017.
The 238.9-metre ship is named after retired US Marine and Medal of Honor recipient, Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams.
It will serve as a flexible platform to support a variety of missions, including mine countermeasures, counter-piracy operations, maritime security and humanitarian missions.
With a 4,830 square metre flight deck, the ship will accommodate up to 250 personnel, fuel and equipment storage, and will also support MH-53 and MH-60 helicopters with an option to support MV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft.