USAV ''General Frank S. Besson Jr.'' (LSV-1) is the
lead ship
The lead ship, name ship, or class leader is the first of a series or class of ships that are all constructed according to the same general design. The term is applicable to naval ships and large civilian vessels.
Large ships are very comple ...
of the
''General Frank S. Besson Jr.''-class roll-on/roll-off
Roll-on/roll-off (RORO or ro-ro) ships are cargo ships designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, buses, Trailer (vehicle), trailers, and railroad cars, that are driven on and off the ship on their ...
of
US Army
The United States Army (USA) is the primary land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of the United Stat ...
.
Design
Named in honor of Gen.
Frank S. Besson Jr., former Chief of Transportation, U.S. Army, these ships have bow and stern ramps and the ability to beach themselves, giving them the ability to discharge 900
short tons
The short ton (abbreviation: tn
or st), also known as the US ton, is a measurement unit equal to . It is commonly used in the United States, where it is known simply as a ton; however, the term is ambiguous, the single word "ton" being variously ...
of vehicles and cargo over the shore in as little as four feet of water, or 2,000 short tons as an intra-theater line haul
roll-on/roll-off
Roll-on/roll-off (RORO or ro-ro) ships are cargo ships designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, buses, Trailer (vehicle), trailers, and railroad cars, that are driven on and off the ship on their ...
cargo ship. The vessel's cargo deck is designed to handle any vehicle in the US Army inventory and can carry up to 15
M1 Abrams
The M1 Abrams () is a third-generation American main battle tank designed by Chrysler Defense (now General Dynamics Land Systems) and named for General Creighton Abrams. Conceived for modern armored ground warfare, it is one of the heavies ...
main battle tanks or 82
ISO standard containers.
[The United States Army News , New Army Vessel Arrives in Hawaii](_blank)
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Construction and career
She was acquired by the US Army on 19 September 1987 and commissioned in 1988 into the 335th Transportation Detachment, 7th Expeditionary Transportation Brigade. She is homeported in Fort Eustis
Fort Eustis is a United States Army installation in Newport News, Virginia. In 2010, it was combined with nearby Langley Air Force Base to form Joint Base Langley–Eustis.
The post is the home to the United States Army Training and Doctrin ...
.
In 1988 she was christened by Frances Rogers “Betty” Wheeler, Besson’s third wife.
She was deployed in 2024 to take part in the Gaza Maritime Corridor.
Gallery
File:US Navy 100308-N-8241M-005 The U. S. Army logistics support vessel General Frank S. Besson, Jr. (LSV 1) passes the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dallas (WHEC 716) as it arrives at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.jpg, USAV ''General Frank S. Besson Jr.'' and USCGC Dallas in Guantanamo Bay on 8 March 2010
File:LSV-1 General Frank S. Besson Jr.jpg, USAV ''General Frank S. Besson Jr.'' on 29 May 2010
File:Gen Frank S Besson Jr Tower.jpg
File:US Navy 090614-N-3218H-026 Logistic Support Vessel General Frank S. Besson (LSV 1) participates in Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) operations.jpg
References
External links
*
Frank S Besson Class LSV Logistic Support Vessel
* ttps://www.flickr.com/photos/pby5a/sets/72157602036943941/ LSV-8 USAV MG Roberts Smalls – a set on Flickr
Army Commissions Vessel Named after African-American Civil War Hero, S.C. Statesman
Robert Smalls Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:General Frank S. Besson Jr.
Ships built in the United States
1987 ships
General Frank S. Besson-class support vessels