Wikipedia

USAV General Frank S. Besson Jr.

USAV General Frank S. Besson Jr. (LSV-1) is the lead ship of the General Frank S. Besson Jr.-class roll-on/roll-off of US Army.

USAV General Frank S. Besson Jr. on 5 February 2005
History
United States
NameGeneral Frank S. Besson Jr.
NamesakeFrank S. Besson Jr.
Operator United States Army
BuilderVT Halter Marine, Pascagoula
Acquired19 September 1987
Commissioned1988
HomeportFort Eustis
Identification
StatusActive
General characteristics
Class and typeGeneral Frank S. Besson class roll-on/roll-off
Displacement4,199 long tons (4,266 t)
Length273 ft (83 m)
Beam60 ft (18 m)
Draft12 ft (3.7 m)
Propulsion2 × EMD 16-645E2; 1,950 hp (1,454 kW) each at 999 rpm
Speed
  • 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h; 14.4 mph) light
  • 11.5 knots (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph) loaded
Range
  • 8,200 nmi (15,200 km) light
  • 6,500 nmi (12,000 km) loaded
Complement8 officers, 23 enlisted

Design

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Main article: General Frank S. Besson-class support vessel

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 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 cargo ship.[1] The vessel's cargo deck is designed to handle any vehicle in the US Army inventory and can carry up to 15 M1 Abrams main battle tanks or 82 ISO standard containers.[2]

Construction and career

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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.[3]

In 1988 she was christened by Frances Rogers “Betty” Wheeler, Besson’s third wife. [4]

She was deployed in 2024 to take part in the Gaza Maritime Corridor. [5]

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References

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  1. ^ Naval Technology – Frank S. Besson Class – LSV Logistics Support Vessel [1]
  2. ^ The United States Army News | New Army Vessel Arrives in Hawaii
  3. ^ "Army Ship Photo Index". www.navsource.org. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Frank Schaffer Besson, Jr. General, U.S. Army". www.militaryhallofhonor.com. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  5. ^ "AP News". Associated Press News. 10 March 2024.
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