Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB)

A large modular ship that serves as an afloat staging and transfer base for aircraft, small boats, and special operations forces, with a four-spot flight deck, mission-deck, and accommodation. The US hull symbol is ESB. Built on a modified Alaska-class tanker hull (about 90,000 tons full load), the Lewis B. Puller class (ESB-3, commissioned 2017) supports mine countermeasures, special operations, and aviation away from fixed shore bases. Unlike an LHD or LPD, the ESB has no well deck and is operated by Military Sealift Command with a hybrid civilian-military crew.