YOKOSUKA, Japan (Dec. 13, 2023) The Benewah-class barracks craft USS Nueces (APL 40) departs from Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) for a new deployment after 22 years of service in Yokosuka. Nueces' keel was laid Jan. 2, 1945, and was commissioned as a self-propelled barracks ship APB 40 in 1945. The vessel was most active during the Vietnam War, when it was converted and reactivated from decommission status into service in 1968 in support of war efforts as a mobile operating base or as a command ship. Following sequential conversion, reoutfitting, and reclassification or redesignation, it was brought to Yokosuka as a berthing and messing barge around 2001. For 75 years, CFAY has provided, maintained, and operated base facilities and services in support of the U.S. 7th fleet�s forward-deployed naval forces, tenant commands, and thousands of military and civilian personnel and their families. (U.S. Navy photo by Ryo Isobe)