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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Wolfgang Hechler

USS John L. Canley (ESB-6)

CAPT. Austin R. Hanbury, MSC
Ship's Master USS John L. Canley (ESB-06)

In his current role, Captain Austin R. Hanbury serves as Master USNS John L. Canley (T-ESB 6), which was delivered to the United States Navy as part of the Military Sealift Command fleet on March 1, 2023. John L. Canley is the fourth ship in the Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) class.

A native of Dalhart, Texas, Hanbury graduated from the Texas Maritime Academy at Texas A&M University at Galveston with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation.

Hanbury joined MSC as a Deck Officer and has since served aboard Combat Logistics Force, Service/Command Support, Prepositioning and Special Mission platforms.

He completed myriad towing, diving and salvage operations throughout U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet aboard USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50), USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52) and USNS Sioux (T-ATF 171).

Hanbury received his first command at sea in 2017. Since then he’s completed fourteen Master tours including six aboard MSC’s dual TYCOM vessels.

He worked alongside MPSRON 2 and 3 Commodores during four tours aboard Prepositioning vessels USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) and USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2).

While commanding CLF vessels USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189), USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187), USNS Richard E Byrd (T-AKE 3), and USNS Pecos (T-AO 197), he provided logistics support to carrier strike groups, amphibious readiness groups and expeditionary forces, and supported NATO coalition warships throughout U.S. 2nd, 5th, 6th and 7th Fleets.

He completed proof of concept operations and deployments to new ports providing U.S. and foreign tended unit support aboard USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). >p>Two tours aboard USS Lewis B Puller (ESB 3), and one aboard USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) instilled a passion for the Expeditionary Sea Base class vessel that contributed to his selection as the first Master of USNS John L. Canley (T-ESB 6).

Hanbury holds numerous awards and decorations earned over his seagoing career including the United States Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement.

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