SS Curtiss
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| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | SS Curtiss |
| Builder | Ingalls Shipbuilding |
| Laid down | 1 April 1968 |
| Launched | 1 December 1968 |
| Commissioned | 1 July 1969 |
| Renamed | USNS Curtiss (T-AVB-4), 14 May 1986 |
| Status | in active service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Wright-class Aviation Logistics Support (Roll-on/Roll-off) Container Ship |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 602 ft (183 m) |
| Beam | 90 ft (27 m) |
| Draft | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Propulsion | Geared steam turbine, single propeller |
| Speed | 18.7 knots (34.6 km/h; 21.5 mph) |
| Complement | 362(37 merchant mariners and 1 Aircraft Maintenance Detachment) |
SS Curtiss (T-AVB-4) is one of two Wright-class Aviation Logistics Support (Roll-on/Roll-off) Container Ships converted for the Military Sealift Command by Todd Shipyards in 1987.[1]
Originally laid down 1 April 1968 at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc. of Pascagoula, Mississippi as SS Mormacksky, ON 521302, IMO 6901830, a Maritime Commission type (C5-S-78a) combination breakbulk, container, Ro-Ro vessel under Maritime Administration contract (MA 222) for Moore-McCormack Lines. Launched 1 December 1968, she was delivered to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) on 25 July 1969 and entered service with Moore-McCormack.[2] After working for that line for only a short time the ship was sold to American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines and renamed SS Great Republic on 19 October 1970. In 1978 she was sold again to Farrell Lines without name change.[3] The ship was turned over to MARAD in 1981.
Converted and renamed USNS Curtiss (T-AVB-4) on 14 May 1986, she was assigned to MARAD Ready Reserve Force, (RRF), MSC PM-5 Sealift Program Office, Logistics Prepositioning Force. On 20 August 1990, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 deployed aboard the Curtiss. This was the first time a MALS deployed aboard a T-AVB.[4] In 2001, the activation exercise of the Curtiss named Pacific Provider 21 was held. This exercise was planned and executed by MALS-16 and was the largest activation of the ship since the Gulf War.[4]
SS Curtiss is outfitted with both a stern ramp and side ports. The roll-on/roll-off deck runs the complete length of the ship. When outfitted with mobile facilities, the ships can service aircraft while anchored offshore.[1]Curtiss provides intermediate maintenance support for Marine Corps helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.[5] It is maintained in reduced operating status (ROS), with a five day reactivation requirement, at Pier 9, Naval Station San Diego.
The Curtiss deploys for biennial training exercises, most recently (2013 and 2015) participating in Exercise Dawn Blitz.[6][7]
See also
References
- "T-AVB-4 Curtiss". Service Ship Photo Archive. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
- ^ a b "Aviation Logistics Support Ships T-AVB". United States Navy Fact File.
- ^ Colton, Tim. "Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula MS". Shipbuilding History. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ "Moore & McCormack Company, New York (1913-1982)". The Ships List. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 History". Marines.mil. United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
- ^ "Aviation Logistics Support". Military Sealift Command. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ^ "2013 Annual Report - Final" (PDF). Maritime Administration. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ^ "Dawn Blitz 2015". United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
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