CAPT Brian K. Mershon

Ship Master, USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5)

01 April 2021 Captain Brian Mershon is currently serving as Master on the USNS MIGUEL KEITH (T-ESB 5), a new-construction ship that was delivered to Military Sealift Command on 15 Nov 19.  MIGUEL KEITH is the third ship in the Expeditionary Mobile Base (ESB) class.  The primary missions of this ship are Airborne Mine Countermeasures and Special Operations.
 
Captain Mershon’s previous assignments include a tour as Master on USNS PATUXENT (T-AO 201) which was the duty oiler in Norfolk, VA.  Prior to that, he served as Master on the hospital ship USNS MERCY (T-AH 19).  There, he completed a 4 month humanitarian mission in the Indo-Pacific region in 2018.  He also served as Master on USS FRANK CABLE (AS-40) while that ship was deployed.  FRANK CABLE is a hybrid-crewed submarine tender operating in the 7^th Fleet AOR.  In addition, he served as Master on the USNS CATAWBA (T-ATF 168), a Fleet Ocean Tug home-ported in Bahrain.  There, he participated in mine countermeasures, diving and other special missions in the 5^th Fleet AOR.
 
Prior to these Master assignments, Captain Mershon was selected to serve as First Officer on the new-construction ship USNS LEWIS B PULLER (T-ESB 3), the first-in-class Expeditionary Mobile Base currently home-ported in the Middle East.  Captain Mershon was a plank-owner there and was ultimately promoted to Master at that command.  During that tour, he ensured the ship’s safe transit from San Diego, CA to Norfolk, VA around South America. 
 
A native of Greenfield, Indiana, Captain Mershon enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October of 1981.  After completing Recruit Training in Great Lakes, IL, he served 2 years aboard the USS PUGET SOUND (AD-38) in Gaeta, Italy, and 2 years with the Navy’s first CH-53E Helicopter Squadron (HC-4) in Sigonella, Sicily.
 
In 1986 (then) Petty Officer Mershon was selected for the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) Program.  After completing this one-year program of intense academic and military training, he received a full NROTC scholarship to attend Auburn University.  There, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering, and received an active duty Commission as a Surface Warfare Officer in August 1991.  As a Junior Officer, he served as Electrical Officer aboard USS HORNE (CG-30), and as 2nd Division Officer aboard USS FLINT (AE-32).
 
Captain Mershon left the Navy in 1996 to pursue employment in the private sector.  In 2004, Captain Mershon joined Military Sealift Command to continue his sea-going career, ultimately working up to his current position as Ship’s Master.