USS Hershel “Woody” Williams Completes 59-Month Historic Mission

After spending nearly five years forward deployed, the US Navy’s expeditionary sea base ship, USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB-4), returned to Naval Station Norfolk on April 10, 2025.

The ship has been operating under the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the US Sixth Fleet since 2020.

The Williams served as a Forward Deployed Naval Force (FDNF) vessel, homeported in Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, for 59 months.

The ship now returns to US waters with a hybrid crew consisting of 44 Military Sealift Command (MSC) civil service mariners (CIVMARS) and 85 US Navy Sailors.

These sailors formed the Blue and Gold crews that took turns to keep the ship operational without interruption, so it could continue missions overseas.

Rear Admiral Dave Walt, Commander of Expeditionary Strike Group TWO, was present to welcome the ship and its crew back to Norfolk.

He described the crew as a strong and committed team that had made a significant impact throughout their deployment.

The vessel is scheduled to spend a week at Naval Station Norfolk to offload its fuel.

After that, it will head to the East Coast Repair and Fabrication Shipyard in Newport News, Virginia, where it will remain in lay berth status, waiting for its next assignment.

The Williams built for flexible sea-based operations played an important role in several major military and humanitarian efforts throughout its deployment.

In 2020, it became the first US Navy warship officially assigned to AFRICOM. Its unique design allowed it to support both maritime security and humanitarian assistance missions across the region.

In 2021, the ship took part in African Lion, the largest annual joint military exercise held by AFRICOM. The ship was involved in a leadership engagement with military forces from Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal.

MSC’s ESB Project Officer stated that such interactions were important for strengthening military relationships and cooperation with partner nations.

In 2022, the vessel joined Obangame Express 22, a major multinational maritime exercise focused on improving communication, information sharing and regional naval cooperation.

The crew also conducted Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training with French soldiers.

MSC’s Program Manager for Prepositioning Ships stated that this type of training helps create a safer and more secure maritime environment.

In 2023, the ship supported humanitarian relief efforts following the earthquakes in Türkiye. It delivered 113 pallets of emergency supplies weighing nearly 40,000 pounds to the Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency in Mersin to support affected civilians.

In the year 2024, the ship’s Gold crew and MSC CIVMARS participated in community outreach activities in Tema, Ghana. These efforts were aimed to reinforce long-term partnerships and support regional security.

During the same year, the ship conducted a Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) mission in Luanda, Angola, and carried out regional support operations in Port Victoria, Seychelles.

While docked in Seychelles, the crew hosted US Ambassador Henry Jardine and Brigadier General Michael Rosette, the head of the Seychelles Defense Forces.

As per Seychelles Nation, General Rosette continued collaboration with the US to fight illegal maritime activities in the Indian Ocean.

Per MSC officials, the joint efforts of the ship’s military and civilian crews during this long deployment helped enhance operational readiness, improve response capabilities, and deepen relationships with partner navies.

The USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is specially designed to support expeditionary missions, with a large flight deck and hangar capable of handling MH-53E helicopters and MV-22 Osprey aircraft.

The ship also features berthing, workspaces, and storage areas for personnel and supplies, making it a versatile platform for various missions including aviation mine countermeasures.

The ship is named after Chief Warrant Officer Hershel “Woody” Williams, a Medal of Honour recipient recognised for his heroic actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.

Reference: US Navy

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