These ships are built to support a 17,000 man US Marine Air Ground Task Force for 30 days.

[1] Two Stork-Wartsila Werkspoor 18TM410 diesel engines provide 26,400 brake horse power (bhp)[2] which allows the ship to make 17.7 knots[3] though one shaft.

[4] USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo was chartered by the US Military Sealift Command on 14 February 1985 after completion.

[6] On 17 April, 2024, the USNS 2nd LT John P. Bobo, en route to the eastern Mediterranean to help the US military set up a pier for aid to Gaza had to turn back last week after experiencing a fire, a Navy spokesperson told CNN.

It is not clear how the delay will affect the construction of the floating pier and causeway, which the Pentagon has said is expected to be operational by late April or early May.