[2] The Flight II variant is designed to bring enhanced medical capabilities at the request of Combatant Commanders, and allows patients to recover onboard rather than in a higher-level facility.

They can respond faster, and to more places than the Navy's larger, slower and unarmed hospital ships.

[4] In January 2023, the Navy announced that three Expeditionary Medical Ships (EMS) had been approved in the 2023 military budget.

[5] Two 11-meter rigid-hulled inflatable boats allow for the transfer of patients from other ships or water rescue; the flight deck has room for a single V-22, or an H-53 or H-60 helicopter.

[6][1] This article about a specific ship or boat of the United States Armed Forces is a stub.