Construction begins on US Navy expeditionary sea base Robert E. Simanek

General Dynamics NASSCO has begun construction on a new expeditionary sea base (ESB) for the US Navy.

The future USS Robert E. Simanek will be the fifth Lewis B. Puller-class ESB to be built for the navy. The ship honours Private First Class Robert E. Simanek, a US Marine who was awarded America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Korean War.

The 785-foot (239-metre) ESB will be used for missions including counter-piracy operations, mine countermeasures, special operations support, and humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

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