Greetings, Shipmate!
Congratulations on receiving orders to the crew of PCU ROBERT E. SIMANEK (ESB 7), the fifth ship in the LEWIS B. PULLER class of Expeditionary Mobile Staging Bases. Our unique mission is vital to the United States’ national military strategy, and you are vital to our success in that mission!
Expeditionary Mobile Staging Bases are large hybrid vessels, with navigation, seamanship, deck-handling, and engineering functions handled by civilian mariners, and the aviation, communications, and security operations handled by two military crews, Blue and Gold. After delivery, these ships are forward-deployed around the world and remain on station long-term, with the civilian and military crews swapping out every few months. Because of the nature of our missions supporting US Marine Corps aviation or special operations forces, ESBs were permanently shifted from USNS vessels under the Military Sealift Command to USS warships under Expeditionary Strike Group command.
PCU ROBERT E. SIMANEK (ESB 7) is the first United States Navy vessel named after Marine Corps Private First Class Robert Ernest Simanek, who was awarded for the Medal of Honor for heroic actions during the Battle of Bunker Hill, August 1952, during the Korean War.
Military OneSource (https://www.militaryonesource.mil/), and/or the Norfolk Fleet & Family Support Center https://www.navylifema.com/installation/nsn
We look forward to assigning you a sponsor, assisting with your move, transition, and supporting you and your family during your pre-arrival training track. Take care!
Sincerely,
J. R. STANKO M. J. CULLEN
GOLD Crew Officer in Charge BLUE Crew Officer in Charge