General Dynamics Unit Hands Over Lewis B. Puller AFSB to US Navy

A General Dynamics subsidiary has turned over the USNS Lewis B. Puller afloat forward staging base vessel to the U.S. Navy.

The military branch accepted the AFSB ship from General Dynamics NASSCO Friday, General Dynamics said Monday.

The company said modifications to the AFSB, which is named after Lt. Gen. Lewis “Chesty” Puller of the U.S. Marine Corps, include the addition of repair spaces, a 52,000-square-foot flight deck, equipment and fuel storage, and additional spaces for up to 250 service personnel.

According to General Dynamics, the vessel is designed to accommodate MH-60 and MH-53 helicopters and support air mine counter operations, anti-piracy activities, disaster relief, crisis response and maritime security missions.

The company said its subsidiary will work to upgrade the ship to support MV-22 aircraft and has secured a contract from the U.S. Navy to convert a mobile landing system into an AFSB.

NASSCO is slated to start construction work on the landing platform in the fourth quarter of this year, General Dynamics said.