SAN DIEGO (April 25, 2024) Ship's sponsor Heather Cafferata, left, welds her initials into the keel plate of the future expeditionary sea base USNS Hector A. Cafferata (ESB 8) during the ship's keel laying ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego. The steel plate with Cafferata's initials will be permanently affixed to the ship's keel, remaining with the vessel through its time in service. (U.S. Navy photo by Sarah Cannon)