NAVAL STATION ROTA –
The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) arrived at Naval Station Rota, Spain for a scheduled port visit, Feb. 26, 2022.
During the visit, Hershel “Woody” Williams will embark U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Marine Corps. service members, welcome new crew members and replenish supplies.
“It’s nice for us to visit Rota, Spain again. Although we will be very busy with conducting maintenance, refueling and loading logistics, the crew can’t wait to spend some time in Rota and enjoy all that is to offer in such a beautiful place,” said Capt. Michael Concannon, commanding officer of Hershel “Woody” Williams.
Naval Station Rota provides cargo, fuel and logistics support to units transiting the region, supporting U.S. and NATO ships with three active piers.
“Rota is a perfect stop for all U.S. ships. Our Spanish allies are very accommodating and make every visit here smooth and successful,” said Concannon. “[Naval Station] Rota has always played a critical and strategic role in supporting our national and collective [NATO] objectives.”
Following their port visit, Hershel “Woody” Williams will continue on its scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations where they will participate in Obangame Express 2022, the largest multinational maritime exercise in Western Africa.
Hershel “Woody” Williams is the first warship permanently assigned to the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. The U.S. shares a common interest with African partner nations in ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation on the waters surrounding the continent, because these waters are critical for Africa’s prosperity and access to global markets.
The ESB ship class is a highly flexible platform that may be used across a broad range of military operations. Acting as a mobile sea base, they are part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies to support missions assigned.
For over 70 years, U.S. Sixth Fleet forces have forged strategic relationships with our allies and partners and solidified a foundation of shared values, experiences and vision aimed at preserving security and stability.
U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts 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.