| |
| Career (United States) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | SS Curtiss |
| Builder: | Ingalls Shipbuilding |
| Laid down: | 1 April 1968 |
| Launched: | 1 December 1968 |
| Commissioned: | 1 July 1969 |
| Renamed: | SS Curtiss (T-AVB-4), 14 May 1986 |
| Identification: | |
| Status: | in active service, as of 2025[update] |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & 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 ship converted for the Military Sealift Command by Todd Shipyards in 1987.[1]
History[]
She was originally laid down on 1 April 1968 at Ingalls Shipbuilding 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 SS 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 Curtiss. This was the first time a MALS deployed aboard a T-AVB.[4] In 2001, the activation exercise with Curtis 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]
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] She is maintained in reduced operating status (ROS), with a five-day reactivation requirement, at the Port of Vancouver USA.[6]
Curtiss deploys for biennial training exercises, most recently (2013 and 2015) participating in Exercise Dawn Blitz.[7][8]
Awards[]
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons
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See also[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Aviation Logistics Support Ships T-AVB". http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4600&tid=400&ct=4.
- ↑ Colton, Tim. "Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula MS". Archived from the original on 5 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160405163547/http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/2large/active/ingalls.htm. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ↑ "Moore & McCormack Company, New York (1913–1982)". http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/mormac.shtml. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 History". United States Marine Corps. http://www.3rdmaw.marines.mil/Units/MAG16/MALS16/History. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
- ↑ "Aviation Logistics Support". http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/ships.asp?ship=78. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ↑ "Port of Vancouver Solstice Newsletter". https://mailchi.mp/portvanusa.com/port-of-vancouver-solstice-newsletter-winter2023-8395820.
- ↑ "2013 Annual Report – Final". Maritime Administration. http://www.marad.dot.gov/wp-content/uploads/pdf/2013_ANNUAL_REPORT_-_Final.pdf. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ↑ "Dawn Blitz 2015". United States Marine Corps. http://www.imef.marines.mil/Units/1STMEB/DawnBlitz2015.aspx. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
Notes[]
- "T-AVB-4 Curtiss". Service Ship Photo Archive. http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/48/4804.htm. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
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The original article can be found at SS Curtiss and the edit history here.