The ships were prepositioned in key spots around the world, close to potential trouble spots. This prepositioning eliminated lengthy trans-oceanic shipping delays, greatly improving the Marines' ability to respond to emerging crises or conflicts. The five Quincy ships were the first purpose-built prepositioning ships in US service. Together with eight similar ships, converted from commercial vessels in 1984-1985, they form a key part of today's Marine Corps force. Since the introduction of the first 13 Maritime Prepositioning Ships, the prepositioning concept has grown rapidly - today the prepositioning force includes Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps equipment, and continues to grow.

An unusual aspect of the MPS program is the ownership of the vessels - they are not owned by the Navy at all. The ships were designed and built by General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division, and are owned and operated by General Dynamics' American Overseas Marine (AMSEA) subsidiary under a 25 year charter. Through this arrangment the Navy avoids all up-front design, development, and construction costs, and there are no maintenance, overhaul, or repair costs. Instead, the Navy (through the Military Sealift Command) pays only a single annual charter fee.

Sadly, the MPS program marked the end of an era at the Quincy shipyard. When MPS construction was completed there were no orders on the books, and few prospects for additional business in the future. With the delivery of the last MPS, SGT William R. Button, in May of 1986, the shipyard began shutting down. In 1987 the Quincy Shipbuilding Division officially ceased operations, concluding 87 years of shipbuilding at the Quincy site. After 107 years, the shipbuilding business founded by Thomas Augustus Watson was at an end.