On August 6, 2024, the Gold Military Crew (MILCREW) of the Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary strike group USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4), along with the ship’s embarked Marines (MARDET) and civilian marines (CIVMARs) of the Military Sealift Command, arrived in Luanda, Angola for a regularly scheduled port visit.
This visit marks the return of the Hershel “Woody” Williams to Luanda after her last visit in November 2022. During this port call, the ESB-class ship will strengthen the U.S.-Angolan partnership through cooperation in the areas of maritime security and situational awareness. In addition, MARDET will conduct onshore training and cooperation with Angolan partners.
The USS Hershel “Woody” Williams will host a reception for senior government and military officials from Angola, building lasting relationships based on trust and cooperation. The crew will also participate in community relations events with local partners, immersing themselves in the rich culture, historical sites and warm hospitality of this important regional partner.
Captain Michael Concannon, Commander of the Hershel “Woody” Williams Gold MILCREW, was proud to bring the ship to Luanda and emphasized its role in maritime situation monitoring. He stated: “Our crew looks forward to working with our Angolan partners, sharing their knowledge and strengthening our shared commitment to security and stability in the region.”
Hershel “Woody” Williams will continue her deployment to the African continent and take advantage of opportunities to work with regional allies and partners in various exercises and operations. Her credible and capable naval presence contributes to maritime security and underscores the shared commitment of allied nations’ navies to regional stability.
As the first U.S. Navy ship assigned to the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) area of responsibility, Hershel “Woody” Williams is equipped for expeditionary, counter-piracy, maritime security, and humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Her unique capabilities play a critical role in critical access infrastructure supporting global missions. The ship is operated with blue and gold crews and is in constant deployment throughout the AFRICOM area.
For more than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-US Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has maintained strategic relationships with allies and partners based on shared values to maintain security and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF oversees U.S. Naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. The U.S. Sixth Fleet, permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, conducts joint operations and naval operations in all domains.
The Hershel “Woody” Williams completed routine maintenance in Croatia in February before participating in Exercise Obangame Express 2024 off West Africa in May. The ship departed Rota, Spain, in mid-July and headed south along the west coast of Africa.
In May, a minor incident occurred off the coast of West Africa involving the Hershel “Woody” Williams. After an initial review, the U.S. Navy relieved Captain Lenard C. Mitchell of his command due to concerns related to the “soft grounding” of the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB-4) off the coast of Libreville, Gabon, on May 9, 2024.
