Keel Authenticated for Future USS John L. Canley 

WASHINGTON — The keel for the future USS John L. Canley (ESB 6), the Navy’s fourth expeditionary sea base, was laid at General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. shipyard in San Diego on April 30, Team Ships Public Affairs said May 2. 

The ship is named for Medal of Honor recipient retired Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. John L. Canley. Canley was awarded the nation’s highest honor 50 years after his actions serving as company gunnery sergeant, Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam during the Battle of Hue City. 

“Sergeant Major Canley’s story is one of service, honor, and commitment. All those who serve aboard his namesake ship will carry on his distinguished legacy,” said Tim Roberts, Strategic and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office, Ships. “These mobile, modular sea base ships are optimized to support the needs of our Sailors and Marines while providing critical access in the maritime domain.” 

Expeditionary sea base ships are highly flexible platforms used across a broad range of military operations supporting multiple operational phases. Acting as a mobile sea base, they are a part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies to provide prepositioned equipment and sustainment with adaptable distribution capability. 

In 2019, the Navy decided to commission all expeditionary sea base ships to allow them to conduct a broader and more lethal mission set compared to original plans for them to operate with a USNS designation. A Navy O-6 commands ESBs and a hybrid-manned crew of military personnel and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners. This crew makeup provides combatant commanders with increased operational flexibility in employing the platform. 

Construction of the future USS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7) and the Navy’s John Lewis Class Fleet Replenishment Oilers (T-AO) are ongoing at GD-NASSCO.