The US Navy’s first Afloat Forward Staging Base- Interim USS Ponce (AFSB-I) arrived in Bahrain for duty in the US 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), on July 6th.
Prior to arriving in theater, Ponce, formerly designated as an amphibious transport dock (LPD), was converted and reclassified as an AFSB in April to fulfill a long-standing US Central Command (CENTCOM) request for an AFSB to be located in its AOR.
“Ponce’s role as an AFSB provides us with an enhanced capability to conduct maritime security operations, and gives us greater flexibility to support a wide range of contingencies with our regional partners,” Vice Admiral John Miller, commander, US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT).
Ponce’s primary mission is to support mine countermeasures (MCM) operations and other missions, such as the ability to provide repair service to other deployed units, including electrical, diesel engine, piping, and machinery repairs. Additionally, Ponce also has the capability to embark and launch small riverine craft.
Commanded by a US Navy Captain, Ponce will remain a US Navy ship. The newly classed AFSB will be manned by a “hybrid” crew consisting of approximately 150 Military Sealift Command (MSC) civilian mariners and 55 US Navy Sailors. Sailors will be primarily responsible for the ship operations. MSC personnel will man the engineering, deck and damage control departments.
“The versatility of Ponce, combined with the teamwork of its ‘hybrid’ crew, brings a unique capability to the region,” said Capt. Jon Rodgers, commanding officer of Ponce. “As the first dedicated Afloat Forward Staging
Base, we look forward to working closely with our coalition and regional partners to promote security and stability.”
Ponce departed its homeport of Norfolk, Va., June 1. Previously scheduled to decommission, Ponce delayed its scheduled decommissioning to serve as an interim AFSB until a permanent solution can be identified.