NAVAL STATION ROTA, SPAIN –
The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) conducted a routine logistics stop at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, Spain, while on a regularly-scheduled deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of responsibility, Sept. 9, 2020.
Hershel “Woody” Williams is conducting integration and familiarization training in the Mediterranean as it prepares for its U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa mission set and is not deployed in response to any current situation.
While in the region, the ship will support operations with allies and partners in the Mediterranean, and the waters around East, South and West Africa, to include the Gulf of Guinea. This ship is a key element in integration between U.S Navy and Marine Corps operations, especially Marine aviation and support to amphibious operations. Other operations and training the ship can conduct include support to special operations, command and control, and staging of equipment and other assets as directed.
Hershel “Woody” Williams, which is the second of a new class of sea-basing ships, departed Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on July 27, for its inaugural deployment following its commissioning in March. Its crew consist of a mix of U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners.
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conduct the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.