12:00 AM7/3/2022

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is the first ship named after the Medal of Honor recipient, following his actions in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.

1:42 PM4/26/2022

During the month-long operation, multinational maritime forces conducted two major interdictions in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Sierra Leone and Cabo Verde.

12:00 AM11/15/2021

The conference supports a larger mission led by U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa to facilitate meaningful participation of women within the security sector.

12:00 AM10/29/2021

The USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is the second U.S. ship to visit Seychelles in the last 2 years. The USS Carney had a port visit in March of 2020, in support of Naval Forces Africa’s effort to build global maritime partnerships with African nations.

12:00 AM10/29/2021

Deck Department assist Seaman Apprentice Ethan J. Dowden, second from left, is donning a harness to install the accommodation ladder aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams as the ship pulls into port in Victoria, Seychelles, Oct. 29, 2021. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Malachi Lakey)

12:00 AM10/29/2021

Machinist's Mate 1st Class Jhairo Pereyra stands watch aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams as the ship pulls into port in Victoria, Seychelles, Oct. 29, 2021. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Malachi Lakey)

12:00 AM10/29/2021

The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams approaches port in Victoria, Seychelles, Oct. 29, 2021. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Malachi Lakey)

9:36 AM9/20/2021

A crewmember aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) explains ship operations during a tour for Namibian Navy leadership and U.S. embassy personnel Sept. 17, 2021. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national interests and security in Europe and Africa.

9:36 AM9/20/2021

A sailor throws a heaving line to the pier during sea and anchor detail aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) as the ship pulls into port in Walvis Bay, Namibia, Sept. 16, 2021. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national interests and security in Europe and Africa.

9:36 AM9/20/2021

Namibian Minister of Defense Hon. Frans Kapofi addresses a reception for Namibian Navy leadership and U.S. embassy personnel following a tour aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) on Sept. 17, 2021. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national interests and security in Europe and Africa.

9:36 AM9/20/2021

The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) approaches Walvis Bay, Namibia, Sept. 16, 2021. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national interests and security in Europe and Africa.

9:36 AM9/20/2021

The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) approaches Walvis Bay, Namibia, Sept. 16, 2021. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national interests and security in Europe and Africa.

9:08 AM9/20/2021

The event marked the U.S. Navy's first port call in Walvis Bay in nearly 10 years.

9:58 AM8/25/2021

Members of a Brazilian Navy visit, board, search, and seizure team return to their boat following a drill aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4), Aug. 22, 2021. The engagement highlights the U.S. and Brazil’s shared interest in maritime safety and freedom of commerce in the southern Atlantic.

9:47 AM8/25/2021

Brazilian Navy frigate Independencia (F-44) executes a maneuver on the port side of the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) during maneuvering drills in the Atlantic Ocean Aug. 22, 2021. The engagement highlights the U.S. and Brazil’s shared interest in maritime safety and freedom of commerce in the southern Atlantic.

9:45 AM8/25/2021

Brazilian Navy frigate Independencia (F-44) executes a maneuver on the port side of the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) during maneuvering drills in the Atlantic Ocean Aug. 22, 2021. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national interests and security in Europe and Africa.

9:38 AM8/25/2021

The engagement highlights the U.S. and Brazil’s shared interest in maritime safety and freedom of commerce in the southern Atlantic.

9:54 AM8/10/2021

“Maritime engagements that include many navies working together really improve our interoperability and collective capability, which are absolutely necessary for a busy area such as the Gulf of Guinea,” Graham said.

11:14 AM8/9/2021

210803-N-LK647-0187 TEMA, Ghana (Aug. 3, 2021) Chief Culinary Specialist Gerald Foxworth, left, Chief Master-at-Arms Brandon Spears, second from left, and Comand Senior Chief Mark Rayner, second from right, all assigned to the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) share snacks with Ghanaian Navy personnel on the pier, Aug. 3, 2021. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national interests and security in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Malachi Lakey/Released)

11:14 AM8/9/2021

210805-N-LK647-0018 TEMA, Ghana (Aug. 5, 2021) Members of the Ghanaian Navy are welcomed aboard the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) by Cdr. Ernique Sesler, executive officer, second from left, and Lt. Cdr. Michael Vallianos II, deputy chief, Office of Security Cooperation, United States Embassy in Ghana, second from right, to embark on a training exercise, Aug. 5, 2021. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national interests and security in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Malachi Lakey/Released)

11:04 AM8/9/2021

Members of the Ghanaian Special Boat Squadron embarked the expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) to participate in maritime security training alongside the Nigerian Navy, Aug. 5, 2021.

4:01 PM8/3/2021

The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) arrived in Monrovia, Liberia, for a scheduled port visit on July 28. The visit also kicks off the U.S. Embassy in Liberia’s year-long observance of the 175th year of the Republic of Liberia.

8:34 AM2/23/2021

Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) 2nd Class Kalynn Fitzgerald observes the coastline of Cape Town while on board the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams during a previously scheduled port visit to South Africa on Feb. 20, 2021. Hershel Williams is operating in U.S. Sixth Fleet to conduct interoperability training and building strategic partnerships with their African partners.

8:27 AM2/23/2021

Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) 2nd Class Kalynn Fitzgerald observes the coastline of Cape Town while on board the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams during a previously scheduled port visit to South Africa on Feb. 20, 2021. Hershel Williams is operating in U.S. Sixth Fleet to conduct interoperability training and building strategic partnerships with their African partners.

8:26 AM2/23/2021

During a previously scheduled port visit the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams pulls into the Cape Town harbor of South Africa on Feb. 20, 2021. Hershel Williams is operating in U.S. Sixth Fleet to conduct interoperability training and building strategic partnerships with their African partners.

8:23 AM2/23/2021

Lt. Cmdr. Sarah Chamberas observes the coastline of Cape Town while on board the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams during a previously scheduled port visit to South Africa on Feb. 20, 2021. Hershel Williams is operating in U.S. Sixth Fleet to conduct interoperability training and building strategic partnerships with their African partners.

8:21 AM2/23/2021

Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Aircraft Handling) Hector Amador observes the coastline of Cape Town while on board the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams during a previously scheduled port visit to South Africa on Feb. 20, 2021. Hershel Williams is operating in U.S. Sixth Fleet to conduct interoperability training and building strategic partnerships with their African partners.

8:19 AM2/23/2021

During a previously scheduled port visit the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams pulls into the Cape Town harbor, South Africa, Feb. 20, 2021. Hershel Williams is operating in U.S. Sixth Fleet to conduct interoperability training and building strategic partnerships with their African partners.

8:10 AM2/23/2021

The USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is the second U.S. ship to stop in Cape Town in the last 12 months. The USS Carney had a port visit with public events in Seychelles just before coming to Cape Town in March of 2020.

8:24 AM2/9/2021

The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams steams along through the Mombasa, Kenya, harbor, Feb. 8, 2021. Williams is operating in U.S. Sixth Fleet to conduct interoperability training and build strategic partnerships with their African partners.

8:19 AM2/9/2021

The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams steams along through the Mombasa, Kenya, harbor, Feb. 8, 2021. Williams is operating in U.S. Sixth Fleet to conduct interoperability training and build strategic partnerships with their African partners.

8:16 AM2/9/2021

Williams is the first U.S. naval ship to enter the port of Mombasa in over a decade.

2:57 PM10/26/2020

Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, right, conducts maneuvers during a maneuvering exercise with Nigerian Navy ships NNS Prosperity, center, and NNS Okpabana in the Gulf of Guinea, Sept. 30, 2020. Hershel “Woody” Williams is on its inaugural deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of responsibility in support of maritime missions and special operations.

2:53 PM10/26/2020

An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter assigned to the "Ghost Riders" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 takes off from the flight deck of the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams during a tracking exercise between Hershel “Woody” Williams, the Italian Navy frigate ITS Federico Martinengo, and the Ghana Navy Snake-class patrol vessel Ehwor in the Gulf of Guinea, Sept. 28, 2020. Also pictured is an Italian NH 90 helicopter assigned to Federico Martinengo. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on its inaugural deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of responsibility in support of maritime missions and special operations.

2:51 PM10/26/2020

The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4), right center, conducts a tracking exercise with Ivorian Navy ships OPV C.F. Sekongo and OPV L’Emergence and Italian Navy frigate ITS Federico Martinengo (F 596), right, in the Gulf of Guinea, Sept. 26, 2020. Hershel “Woody” Williams is on its inaugural deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of responsibility in support of maritime missions and special operations.

2:40 PM10/26/2020

While operating in the U.S. Africa Command area of operations, the ship conducted six maritime evolutions alongside African partner nations, participated in a major multinational exercise, and conducted refueling operations.

3:07 PM10/7/2020

Hershel “Woody” Williams is on a regularly-scheduled deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of operations and is a key element in integration between U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operations, especially Marine aviation and support to amphibious operations.

12:00 AM9/26/2020

9:33 AM9/21/2020

The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams and the Royal Moroccan Navy's Floreal-class Frigate Mohammad V conduct training for the tracking and intercept of vessels of interest in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 15, 2020.

9:31 AM9/21/2020

An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, assigned to the "Ghost Riders" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, conduct visit board search and seizure drills with the Royal Moroccan Navy's Floreal-class Frigate Mohammad V and the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams in the Atlantic Ocean Sept. 15, 2020.

9:27 AM9/21/2020

The Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams and the Royal Moroccan Navy's Floreal-class Frigate Mohammad V conduct training for the tracking and intercept of vessels of interest in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 15, 2020.

9:25 AM9/21/2020

An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, assigned to the "Ghost Riders" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, conduct visit board search and seizure drills with the Royal Moroccan Navy's Floreal-class Frigate Mohammad V and the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams in the Atlantic Ocean Sept. 15, 2020.

9:22 AM9/21/2020

Personnel aboard Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams participate in visit, board, search and seizure training with Sailors assigned to the Royal Moroccan Navy's Floreal-class Frigate Mohammad V in the Atlantic Ocean Sept. 15, 2020.

8:40 AM9/21/2020

The exercise follows Morocco’s participation in an air interoperability mission Sept. 7, in which four F-16s from the Moroccan Air Force trained alongside U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortresses and the U.S. Navy's USS Roosevelt.

2:23 PM8/31/2020

The ship will be a long-term presence assigned to the AFRICOM mission set and support security cooperation missions and operations in and around the African continent.