US Commissions Warship for First Time in Ceremony Outside United States

A commissioning ceremony for the Expeditionary Sea Base warship Lewis B. Puller at Khalifa bin Salman Port in Bahrain on Thursday marked the first time an American naval vessel has been commissioned in a foreign nation, the Navy said in a press release.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Puller is the first US Navy ship to be commissioned outside the United States, according to the release.

"The Puller isn't just another ship, but a revolutionary concept; a ship that provides us a key platform that will provide continuity to a variety of operations," US Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan said at Thursday’s ceremony.

Donegan explained that the Puller is the first ship built specifically to serve as expeditionary sea base, in this case to back maritime security operations throughout the region.