Exclusive: U.S. Navy Vessel USS Miguel Keith Overhaul Marks First Contract with Japanese Shipyard.

The U.S. Navy’s Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base, USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5), has successfully concluded a significant five-month Regular Overhaul (ROH) at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Yokohama, Japan. Completed on April 15, 2025, this $12 million overhaul is a historic milestone: it is the first full-scale U.S. Navy maintenance contract ever awarded to a Japanese shipyard, reflecting a deepening defense-industrial partnership between the United States and Japan and signaling a new chapter in Indo-Pacific maritime logistics.
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USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5), a U.S. Navy Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base, completed a five-month Regular Overhaul (ROH) at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Yokohama, Japan, on April 15, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

This ROH (Regular Overhaul) differs substantially from the more routine voyage repairs (VRs) previously conducted at foreign shipyards, which are generally restricted under U.S. law. According to 10 U.S.C. § 863, the U.S. Navy is prohibited from performing overhauls, repairs, or maintenance on its vessels in foreign-owned and operated facilities outside of the United States, with the exception of VRs. However, two key exemptions allowed this overhaul: the total duration of work was under six months, and the USS Miguel Keith was not scheduled to return to the U.S. within 15 months. These conditions opened the legal window for MHI to take on this unprecedented responsibility.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, a key player in Japan’s defense and heavy industries, has long been involved in shipbuilding for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), including the construction of Aegis-equipped destroyers and submarines. Their partnership with the U.S. Navy in this context demonstrates not only technical capability but also the evolving nature of U.S.-Japan security collaboration. The project reinforces bilateral ties under the framework of the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance, providing a tangible example of industrial interoperability and mutual strategic support amid rising tensions and operational demands in the Indo-Pacific region.

The overhaul involved a broad and intricate range of tasks that go beyond standard maintenance. Over 56,000 square feet of nonskid surface was replaced on both the flight deck and the mission deck, critical for helicopter operations and vehicle maneuvering. In 29 key spaces, including the galley, laundry rooms, berthing areas, and scullery, the floors were replaced and surfaces were preserved to ensure habitability and compliance with Navy standards. Structural preservation also included over 10,000 square feet of the forward deckhouse superstructure, a vital segment of the ship containing command spaces and crew quarters, and the MOGAS deck, which is used to support gasoline storage and distribution for embarked forces.

Significant metal fabrication and welding work was carried out, including the replacement of over 300 feet of catwalk handrails along the flight deck—a critical safety component during flight operations. Furthermore, four high-capacity galley ovens were replaced to maintain food service readiness, and the entire hull exterior was meticulously repainted from bow to stern, preserving the vessel’s corrosion resistance and extending its service life.

The project was planned and overseen by the U.S. Ship Repair Facility and Regional Maintenance Center’s (SRF-JRMC) Singapore Detachment. According to Project Manager Douglas Cabacungan, this was the first time the detachment managed a full-scale ROH. He explained that the team typically handles short-term emergent and continuous repairs outside Japan, and that this opportunity significantly expanded their skill set, allowing them to adapt to working with new contractors in unfamiliar environments—an essential capability as operations expand across the Indo-Pacific.

Captain Wendel Penetrante, Commander of SRF-JRMC, highlighted the strategic benefits of outsourcing the overhaul to MHI by noting that the use of Mitsubishi’s shipyard enabled the Yokosuka-based workforce to concentrate on three concurrent warship maintenance projects. This approach led to increased operational efficiency, with one of those projects being completed three days ahead of schedule. Additionally, the freed-up capacity allowed SRF-JRMC to successfully respond to two unplanned voyage repairs. This outcome, he emphasized, represented a significant gain in terms of operational agility and resource optimization.

The USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) is part of a new generation of Expeditionary Sea Bases (ESBs) designed to serve as floating forward operating bases. At 240 meters in length, the vessel features an expansive flight deck that supports helicopter and tiltrotor aircraft operations, including MH-60 Seahawk helicopters and MV-22 Ospreys. The ship’s mission deck and well deck enable the launch and recovery of small boats and unmanned systems. Designed with flexibility in mind, it can support a wide range of missions including special operations, mine countermeasures, logistics support, and command-and-control operations. The ESB platform is tailored for extended deployments with berthing and services for over 250 personnel, including joint forces and coalition troops when needed.

The ship has been forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet since 2020 and is crewed by a mix of U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command (MSC) civilian mariners. This hybrid manning model ensures both operational flexibility and sustained global reach for critical support missions across the Indo-Pacific.

Beyond the immediate technical achievements, the successful completion of the ROH at MHI is a potent symbol of the strategic and operational trust between the United States and Japan. It reflects a shared commitment to maintaining regional stability, advancing interoperability, and enhancing the resilience of naval logistics networks. As the U.S. Navy continues to posture its forces for rapid response and deterrence in a dynamic security environment, the ability to rely on allied industrial capacity—like that of Japan—represents a vital force multiplier for the 21st-century fleet.