The U.S. Navy Is Building A 'Mothership' For Secret Special Operations

Cragside will be rigged so it can function as a floating base for up to 200 troops, their weapons, and more. (Manuel Hernández Lafuente/ShipSpotting.com)

The U.S. Navy Is Quietly Building A Big, Secretive Special Operations 'Mothership' -- David Axe, The Week/War Is Boring

Will commandos get jet skis? Oh yes.

The U.S. Navy is quietly converting a 633-foot-long cargo ship into a secretive helicopter carrier with facilities for supporting a large contingent of Special Operations forces and all their gear, including jet skis.

Yes, jet skis.

And here's the really weird thing: almost nobody is talking about the new "mothership" vessel, even though it could significantly expand America's at-sea commando footprint.

In November, Military Sealift Command — America's quasi-civilian fleet of more than 100 specialized but lightly armed vessels — awarded an initial $73-million contract to shipping giant Maersk to convert one of its cargo ships to a so-called "Maritime Support Vessel" standard.

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My Comment: This story was actually published a few months ago .... I missed it .... so here it is. Xbradtc at Bring the Heat, Bring the Stupid has a good analysis here.