Search the Site with

General Characteristics

Crew List

Memorabilia

Cruise Books

Accidents aboard the Ship

History

Image Gallery

to end of page

USS Wabash (AOR 5)

USS WABASH was the fifth WICHITA-class replenishment oiler and the fourth vessel of the United States Navy to bear the name Wabash. She was named after the Wabash River, which rises in western Ohio, flows through Indiana and forms part of the boundary between Indiana and Illinois before joining the Ohio River. Decommissioned on September 30, 1994, and stricken from the Navy list on April 8, 1997, WABASH spent the following years berthed at the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet, Benicia, Calif., awaiting final disposal. On October 1, 2012, the former USS WABASH was sold for dismantling to ESCO Marine of Brownsville, Texas. On January 24, 2013, the she arrived at the ESCO Marine facility in Brownsville, Texas. The vessel was subsequently dismantled.

back to top

go to the end of the page

back to top

go to the end of the page

Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS WABASH. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

• Click here to view the list.

back to top

go to the end of the page

• Click here to see which USS WABASH memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

back to top

go to the end of the page

USS WABASH Cruise Books:

• WestPac / Indian Ocean Cruise Book 1984

back to top

go to the end of the page

Accidents aboard USS WABASH:

back to top

go to the end of the page

USS WABASH History:

USS WABASH's keel was laid on January 21, 1970, at the Quincy Shipbuilding Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Quincy, Massachusetts. She was launched on February 6, 1971, sponsored by Mrs. William G. Bray, wife of Congressman William G. Bray of Indiana. During the following months, the ship underwent fitting-out, installation and testing of machinery and electronic equipment, and preparations for acceptance by the Navy. Photographic records document her fitting-out work at Quincy on September 9, 1971, and an inclining experiment conducted on September 11 to establish the ship's stability characteristics. USS WABASH was commissioned at the Boston Naval Shipyard on November 20, 1971, with Captain Robert P. Chrisler as her first commanding officer.

Following commissioning, USS WABASH began preparations for her transfer to the United States Pacific Fleet. On January 5, 1972, she departed the East Coast on a voyage to her assigned homeport of Long Beach, California. Rather than proceeding through the Panama Canal, the ship followed a route around South America that provided opportunities for an extended operating period and visits to several foreign ports. She first called at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, before continuing southward along the Atlantic coast of South America. USS WABASH subsequently passed through the Strait of Magellan, the narrow waterway separating mainland South America from Tierra del Fuego and connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

After reaching the Pacific, she visited Valparaiso, Chile, followed by Callao, Peru, and Acapulco, Mexico. On March 3, 1972, USS WABASH arrived at Long Beach, completing her passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific. She subsequently prepared for shakedown training, which took place from May 22 through June 16. The training period allowed her officers and crew to become familiar with operating procedures, particularly the coordination required during underway replenishment, engineering operations, navigation and emergency drills. During the summer and early autumn, the ship continued operating off Southern California, conducting local exercises and preparing for her first overseas deployment.

On November 9, 1972, USS WABASH departed Long Beach on her first deployment to the Western Pacific. The United States was still conducting extensive naval operations in Southeast Asia, although negotiations were underway to end direct American military involvement in the Vietnam War. North Vietnam's conventional offensive earlier in the year had prompted a substantial increase in American air and naval operations, including attacks against targets in North Vietnam and the mining of approaches to several North Vietnamese ports. Aircraft carriers and their escorts required frequent deliveries of aviation fuel, ship propulsion fuel, ammunition and provisions to maintain these operations. USS WABASH proceeded westward via Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and arrived at Subic Bay in the Philippines on December 1. At Subic Bay she was assigned to Service Squadron 9 and became the flagship of Commander, Task Group 73.5, the organization responsible for coordinating replenishment operations in support of American naval forces off Vietnam. The group departed for the Gulf of Tonkin on December 7, and USS WABASH began her first operating period on the replenishment line on December 9. During this initial period, which extended through December 27, she completed 46 underway replenishment operations. The ships she serviced were engaged in naval and air operations off the Vietnamese coast. USS WABASH spent Christmas at sea while returning toward the Philippines and arrived at Subic Bay on December 28, 1972.

USS WABASH remained at Subic Bay only briefly before returning to the Gulf of Tonkin on January 2, 1973. Her next qualifying Vietnam service period began on January 3 and continued through January 12. Another extended period followed from January 21 to February 14. During these operations, the ship frequently conducted two or three replenishments in a single day. On January 27, 1973, the Paris Peace Accords came into effect, establishing a ceasefire and providing for the withdrawal of American combat forces from Vietnam. American offensive operations against North Vietnam were suspended under the agreement, although American naval forces continued operating in Southeast Asian waters during the subsequent withdrawal period.

USS WABASH remained in the region to supply ships still assigned to the Seventh Fleet. Her additional documented Vietnam campaign service periods extended from February 21 to February 25 and from March 25 to March 28, 1973. These periods record qualifying service in the Vietnam operating area and do not necessarily represent the exact dates of departure from or arrival at Subic Bay. The remaining American combat forces withdrew from South Vietnam in March, but American naval units continued regional operations and maintained a presence in the western Pacific. USS WABASH subsequently proceeded to Japan, where she prepared for her return voyage. On May 21, 1973, she departed Yokosuka, Japan, for Long Beach, traveling via Pearl Harbor. The ship subsequently received credit for participation in the Vietnam Ceasefire campaign, qualifying her for the Vietnam Service Medal with one campaign star.

Following her return to California, USS WABASH underwent inspections, maintenance and training during the summer of 1973. On September 6, her homeport was officially changed from Long Beach to Naval Air Station Alameda, on San Francisco Bay. Captain George E. Jacobssen, Jr., relieved Captain Chrisler during September, becoming the ship's second commanding officer. The replenishment oiler subsequently operated from Alameda for the remainder of the year, supporting Pacific Fleet activities and preparing for another deployment.

On March 2, 1974, USS WABASH departed the West Coast on her second Western Pacific deployment. During the following months, she operated in Philippine and Japanese waters, supporting American naval forces assigned to the Seventh Fleet. The deployment occurred after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords but during the continuing conflict between North and South Vietnam. American military activities in Southeast Asia had been reduced substantially, while the Seventh Fleet continued its normal regional commitments. USS WABASH supplied warships operating in the western Pacific, including vessels of the carrier forces stationed or deployed in the region. Contemporary photographic documentation records USS WABASH conducting an underway replenishment with the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CVA 41) during 1974. Subic Bay remained an important logistics base for loading fuel and supplies, while Japanese naval facilities provided maintenance and replenishment support for American warships operating farther north. USS WABASH departed Subic Bay on September 25, 1974, for her return to the United States, concluding the overseas operating phase of her second Western Pacific deployment.

During 1975, USS WABASH continued serving with the Pacific Fleet from Alameda. Captain Albert J. Ashurst assumed command on January 21, 1975. The ship's operating cycle included replenishment training, maintenance and support for warships based on the American West Coast. Photographic documentation from July and August 1975 shows USS WABASH at Naval Air Station Alameda, where the aircraft carriers USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), USS CORAL SEA (CV 43) and USS ORISKANY (CV 34), together with the replenishment oiler USS KANSAS CITY (AOR 3), were also present during that period. The concentration of carriers and supporting ships reflected Alameda's importance as a Pacific Fleet aviation and logistics installation.

The end of the Vietnam War in April 1975 changed the operating environment of the Seventh Fleet, but American naval forces continued exercises and deployments intended to maintain a presence in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean. During the first months of 1976, USS WABASH continued preparing for another overseas assignment. From March 1 through March 13, she participated in Fleet Exercise 1-76, conducted off Southern California. The exercise involved naval units from the United States, Britain, Canada and New Zealand. Its activities included multinational fleet operations, coordinated maneuvering and the logistical support required to sustain warships operating together at sea.

On June 5, 1976, USS WABASH departed Alameda for her third Western Pacific deployment. Four days later, on June 9, she was involved in a collision with the ammunition ship USS FLINT (AE 32) during towing exercises approximately 900 nautical miles northwest of Hawaii. Both vessels sustained damage, but neither suffered damage serious enough to prevent the continuation of their assigned missions, and no personnel were injured. The ships continued toward the western Pacific, and USS WABASH subsequently underwent voyage and damage repairs at Subic Bay. After completing the necessary work, she resumed operations in Philippine waters. On July 9, she returned to Subic Bay to load additional fuel, provisions and other cargo in preparation for an unscheduled assignment. The following day, USS WABASH departed to overtake Task Group 77.7, a naval formation proceeding toward the Indian Ocean for an approximately 30-day deployment. The operation was part of the continuing American naval presence in the region, where the Soviet Navy had expanded its activities during the preceding years. American authorities maintained naval forces in the Indian Ocean to demonstrate their ability to operate there and to support American political and military interests in the region.

During her pursuit of Task Group 77.7, USS WABASH rendezvoused with the combat stores ship USS MARS (AFS 1) to receive additional provisions and stores. She subsequently passed through the Strait of Malacca, connecting the South China Sea with the Indian Ocean, and entered the Indian Ocean on July 17, 1976. USS WABASH joined the formation operating around the aircraft carrier USS RANGER (CV 61) and conducted underway replenishments with the carrier and several accompanying warships, including USS PREBLE (DDG 46), USS GOLDSBOROUGH (DDG 20) and USS OUELLET (FF 1077). The American ships conducted exercises and routine operational activities while USS WABASH furnished fuel and other supplies. After completing her support assignment, she returned to Subic Bay on August 7. On August 16, USS WABASH again departed the Philippine base to rendezvous with the returning USS RANGER group and replenish its ships during their eastward movement. After completing this assignment, she proceeded to Guam in the Mariana Islands, where she prepared to support the incoming USS ENTERPRISE carrier group.

During September 1976, USS WABASH conducted further operations in Philippine waters. On September 16, she encountered a severe storm off the Philippines in which 14 members of her crew were injured. The incident was recorded in the Navy's official list of significant accidents and personnel casualties. After continuing her deployment, USS WABASH moved north for operations in Japanese waters during October. She operated from Sasebo, Japan, and subsequently visited Pusan, South Korea. She returned to Sasebo on October 25 and then proceeded to Yokosuka for repairs and maintenance before beginning her passage home.

Over the course of the deployment, USS WABASH had steamed more than 35,000 miles, completed approximately 100 underway replenishment operations and spent nearly 65 percent of the deployment at sea. She departed Japanese waters on November 10 and arrived at Alameda on November 24, 1976, the day before Thanksgiving. USS WABASH remained in Alameda during the final weeks of the year.

In January 1977, USS WABASH underwent a restricted availability at Alameda, with the main period of work taking place during the second half of the month. She subsequently participated in Exercise RIMPAC 77 from February 17 through March 1. This large multinational exercise involved ships from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada and was conducted in the Pacific operating areas around Hawaii. RIMPAC provided opportunities to practice coordinated naval operations among countries with established defense relationships in the Pacific. USS WABASH completed 28 underway replenishment operations during the exercise, supplying participating warships while they conducted their assigned training missions.

Captain Gayle O. Elie relieved Captain Ashurst during March 1977. Following RIMPAC, USS WABASH continued refresher training and readiness exercises during the spring. On June 15, 1977, she entered Todd Shipyard at Alameda for a regular overhaul. The shipyard work involved maintenance, repair and inspection of machinery and shipboard systems. The overhaul lasted almost a year and was completed on June 9, 1978. After leaving the yard, she undertook a further period of training and evaluation to restore her operational readiness. Captain James W. Ryan relieved Captain Elie on August 2, 1978. USS WABASH spent the remainder of 1978 conducting shakedown and refresher training, including replenishment exercises and inspections necessary to prepare her for another overseas deployment.

At the beginning of 1979, USS WABASH was at Alameda preparing for another period of operational commitments in the Pacific. During February and March, she conducted a documented underway replenishment with the amphibious command ship USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC 19). Later that year, she deployed to the Western Pacific at a time when the refugee crisis resulting from the end of the Vietnam War was affecting much of Southeast Asia. Large numbers of Vietnamese civilians were leaving their country in small boats, often attempting to reach Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia or the Philippines. Many vessels encountered mechanical problems, shortages of food and drinking water, or severe weather during their passage across the South China Sea. In July 1979, President Jimmy Carter directed American Seventh Fleet ships operating in international waters to assist refugees in distress. USS WABASH participated in these rescue operations while accompanying the carrier group centered on USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63). During July, the replenishment oiler received Vietnamese refugees rescued at sea, including a group of 19 people reported in the Navy's contemporary chronology. By July 28, she had arrived off Pattaya, Thailand, with 65 refugees aboard following a voyage of approximately 1,555 miles with the carrier force. The refugees were transferred to Thai authorities for subsequent processing and resettlement arrangements. The operation required USS WABASH to provide temporary accommodation, food, water and medical assistance in addition to her normal duties supplying the fleet.

USS WABASH continued participating in refugee rescue operations during August 1979. On August 3, the guided missile destroyer USS PARSONS (DDG 33) rescued 21 Vietnamese refugees from a small craft approximately 60 miles off the eastern coast of Malaysia. The following day, a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 11, operating from USS WABASH, transferred the refugees from the destroyer to the replenishment oiler. On August 5, the ship's crew rescued another 28 refugees from a wooden fishing boat in the South China Sea. The boat, approximately 30 feet long, was taking on water after encountering heavy seas, and its occupants had been at sea for several days with diminishing supplies. USS WABASH launched her motor whaleboat to bring the passengers aboard, where the crew provided temporary shelter, clothing and assistance. Contemporary photographic records document the refugees aboard USS WABASH after the rescue. The 49 refugees from these two operations were transported to Subic Bay, arriving on August 6, where arrangements were made for their transfer to the appropriate authorities. Her participation in refugee assistance formed part of the service later reflected in the Humanitarian Service Medals awarded to the ship. USS WABASH also received the National Defense Transportation Award for 1979.

During the final months of 1979, USS WABASH's deployment was affected by the rapidly changing security situation in the Middle East. On November 4, 1979, Iranian students occupied the United States Embassy in Tehran and took American diplomatic personnel hostage. The United States responded by increasing its military presence in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, where carrier battle groups could operate without entering the Persian Gulf. On November 21, USS KITTY HAWK departed Subic Bay with Task Group 70.2, which included USS WABASH, USS JOUETT (CG 29), USS BERKELEY (DDG 15), USS DAVID R. RAY (DD 971) and USS FANNING (FF 1076). The group proceeded toward the Indian Ocean as American naval forces were reinforced in response to the Iranian crisis. The deployment was further influenced by the Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan in December 1979, which increased American concern over security in the region. USS WABASH provided fuel and stores to the American warships operating in the Indian Ocean, with Diego Garcia serving as an important logistical facility for naval forces in the area. The island's facilities allowed replenishment ships to reload cargo and return to the operating forces without requiring the entire formation to leave station. The ship's deployment was extended by approximately 70 days as a consequence of the crisis in Iran. Captain Raymond P. Ilg relieved Captain Ryan on January 10, 1980, during the final stages of the assignment. USS WABASH completed the deployment on January 25, 1980, and returned to Alameda after an extended period in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean.

During the remainder of 1980, USS WABASH resumed the maintenance and training program required after her lengthy deployment. Her assignments included replenishment exercises with Pacific Fleet units and the preparation of cargo-handling, engineering and aviation equipment for further overseas operations. The regional security situation continued to influence American naval deployments. In September 1980, Iraq invaded Iran, beginning the Iran-Iraq War, which increased the importance of the Persian Gulf and the shipping routes connecting the region with the Indian Ocean. The United States continued maintaining naval forces in nearby international waters while the American hostages remained in Iran. USS WABASH received the Pacific Fleet Battle Efficiency Award for the period extending from July 1980 through December 1981, reflecting her operational and material readiness during this interval.

In April 1981, USS WABASH began another Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment, operating in support of the carrier group centered on USS KITTY HAWK. The carrier departed San Diego on April 1 for an extended cruise that included operations in the western Pacific, South China Sea and Indian Ocean. Ships associated with the deployment included USS HALSEY (CG 23), USS HOEL (DDG 13), USS CUSHING (DD 985), USS BERKELEY, USS DAVID R. RAY and USS FANNING. The force conducted exercises and maintained an American naval presence during the continuing Iran-Iraq War and Soviet intervention in Afghanistan. USS WABASH's duties included supplying the conventionally powered aircraft carrier and its escorts with propulsion and aviation fuel, provisions and other materials. The carrier's contemporary command history records repeated underway replenishments involving USS WABASH during the deployment.

During May 1981, USS WABASH again participated in the rescue of Vietnamese refugees in the South China Sea. On May 16, she rescued 44 people from a small vessel that had been carrying refugees away from Vietnam. After the occupants had been brought aboard, the abandoned boat was sunk to prevent it from becoming a navigational hazard. On May 17, USS KITTY HAWK received 30 additional Vietnamese refugees who had been rescued by other ships of the carrier battle group. These 30 people were transferred from the carrier to USS WABASH on May 19, with arrangements being made for their disembarkation in Singapore on May 20. Further transfers of refugees rescued by other ships increased the number aboard USS WABASH to approximately 150. The replenishment oiler thus temporarily accommodated a substantial group of civilians while continuing to serve the deployed naval force. Her crew provided food, water, shelter and other assistance pending the refugees' transfer to authorities ashore. Personnel involved in the 1981 rescue and transport operations subsequently received the Humanitarian Service Medal.

Following the refugee operations, USS WABASH continued replenishment assignments with the USS KITTY HAWK battle group in the Indian Ocean. From June 1 through July 1, 1981, the carrier operated in the northern Arabian Sea, where Soviet reconnaissance aircraft repeatedly approached the American formation. The operations took place against the background of the Iran-Iraq War and the continuing Soviet intervention in Afghanistan. American carrier aircraft conducted flight operations, surveillance and training while accompanying surface ships maintained the necessary escort and support functions. USS WABASH provided fuel and supplies during the deployment, enabling the group to remain in the operating area without frequent visits to distant logistical bases. Captain Phillip R. Wood relieved Captain Ilg on July 3, 1981. USS WABASH continued her replenishment assignments through the remainder of the deployment and returned to Alameda in November 1981.

During 1982, USS WABASH entered an extended major overhaul that lasted approximately ten months and was completed in February 1983. The work included installation of two Phalanx close-in weapon systems and a NATO Sea Sparrow missile system, substantially modifying the ship's defensive equipment. These improvements formed part of the Navy's efforts to strengthen the self-defense capabilities of auxiliary ships operating with carrier battle groups in regions where air and missile threats had become increasingly important. The ship also underwent maintenance and repair work on machinery and other systems during the overhaul. Captain George D. O'Brien, Jr., relieved Captain Wood on January 7, 1983, while USS WABASH was approaching completion of the modernization period. Following the overhaul, the replenishment oiler returned to the Pacific Fleet's operating schedule and conducted training intended to restore her proficiency in replenishment operations, helicopter employment, engineering and shipboard emergencies.

During 1983, USS WABASH resumed replenishment work in support of Pacific Fleet carrier and surface forces, including operations with the battle group centered on USS KITTY HAWK. The ships conducted training exercises in the eastern Pacific before the carrier's next deployment. Their activities included replenishment evolutions, maneuvering exercises and preparations for operations in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. On October 15, 1983, USS WABASH conducted a documented underway replenishment with the guided missile destroyer USS CHANDLER (DDG 996) in the Pacific Ocean. The destroyer was one of several vessels operating with the carrier force during this period. On November 22, USS WABASH and USS KITTY HAWK were involved in a minor collision during a refueling operation at Oakland, California. Contemporary Navy records classify the incident as a minor collision. The ships subsequently continued their respective operating schedules. During this period, the Navy was also preparing for further Indian Ocean deployments, where American naval forces were operating in proximity to the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War.

In the opening months of 1984, USS WABASH deployed with Battle Group Bravo, centered on USS KITTY HAWK. The carrier departed San Diego on January 13, beginning an extended Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment. The battle group included USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9), USS O'BRIEN (DD 975), USS CHANDLER, USS DAVIDSON (FF 1045), USS HAROLD E. HOLT (FF 1074), USS STEIN (FF 1065) and USS LEWIS B. PULLER (FFG 23), together with other escorts and logistical support vessels. During the initial phase, the group operated in the western Pacific, where American warships maintained routine surveillance and training activities in the waters around Japan and Korea. USS WABASH carried out replenishment operations during the outward passage, including documented support to USS KITTY HAWK on January 17, January 21 and January 27. These operations provided fuel and other supplies as the battle group continued toward its assigned operating areas.

USS KITTY HAWK subsequently proceeded toward the Indian Ocean. On April 16, 1984, she relieved USS MIDWAY on the northern Arabian Sea station commonly known as Gonzo Station, from which American carriers maintained a presence near the approaches to the Persian Gulf. USS WABASH supplied the carrier and accompanying warships with the fuel and stores necessary to continue operating in this remote area. The assignment took place during the Iran-Iraq War, when attacks on shipping and concerns over the security of oil transportation routes were increasing. American naval forces operated outside the Persian Gulf while remaining available for contingencies affecting the region. On June 10, 1984, USS AMERICA (CV 66) relieved USS KITTY HAWK on station, allowing the latter carrier group to begin its return through the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific.

Later in June 1984, the carrier group visited western Australia, with ships of the formation entering ports in the Perth region and other locations along the coast. The visit period extended from June 22 through June 27. The group subsequently continued its return passage toward the United States. USS WABASH supported the movement of the force through repeated underway replenishment operations. Captain James T. Matheny relieved Captain O'Brien on July 15, 1984, and the approximately six-and-a-half-month deployment ended in August.

Following her return to California, USS WABASH underwent post-deployment maintenance and resumed local fleet support assignments. On October 16, 1984, she conducted a simultaneous replenishment operation at sea with the American guided missile frigate USS DUNCAN (FFG 10) and the Australian frigate HMAS DARWIN (F 04). The two receiving ships operated on opposite sides of USS WABASH, enabling the replenishment oiler to service both vessels during the same evolution. The operation was photographed by Navy personnel and documented cooperation between the American and Australian fleets. In October 1984, USS WABASH's homeport was changed from Naval Air Station Alameda to Naval Station Long Beach, California. The change reflected the organization of Pacific Fleet combat logistics forces and placed the ship at another major American naval installation. During the following months, USS WABASH operated from Long Beach, supporting surface ships and carrier groups engaged in exercises and deployment preparations. She also continued the training required for helicopter operations and the transfer of different types of cargo while underway.

During 1985, USS WABASH remained employed in Pacific Fleet replenishment duties. Her operating schedule included training and fleet support along the American West Coast, together with maintenance periods at Long Beach. During the year, she visited Seattle, Washington, in connection with the annual Seafair maritime celebrations. Contemporary photographs show the ship moored at Pier 90 during the event. The visit provided an opportunity for public access to a naval replenishment vessel and took place during an established annual program involving American naval ships. USS WABASH subsequently returned to normal fleet operations.

In 1986, USS WABASH supported the first deployment of a battleship-centered surface action group to the Western Pacific since the Korean War. The force was organized around the battleship USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62), which departed Long Beach on May 13, 1986. Other ships associated with the deployment included USS LONG BEACH, USS MERRILL (DD 976), USS THACH (FFG 43) and USS GRAY (FF 1054). The deployment involved operations in the western Pacific and exercises with allied naval forces. USS WABASH supplied the group during its movements and exercises, allowing the battleship and escorts to continue operating without frequent returns to port.

From June 14 through June 18, 1986, USS WABASH visited Inchon, South Korea, in company with USS NEW JERSEY, USS LONG BEACH and USS STERETT (CG 31). The port call was part of the American naval presence in Northeast Asia and occurred during a period when the United States maintained substantial military forces in South Korea under its mutual defense arrangements with the Republic of Korea. The broader deployment subsequently included exercises in Southeast Asia, including the combined American-Thai exercise Cobra Gold 86. Captain Danny J. Powers relieved Captain Matheny on July 15, 1986.

During the latter part of 1986 and throughout 1987, USS WABASH continued operations from Long Beach, conducting fleet support assignments, engineering maintenance and replenishment training. The ship remained part of the Pacific Fleet combat logistics force, whose responsibilities included supporting aircraft carriers, surface action groups and other deploying vessels. During January 1987, USS WABASH was documented moored at Pier Echo in Long Beach. Her operating schedule during these years included the regular training and upkeep associated with a steam-powered auxiliary ship fitted with both alongside replenishment equipment and helicopter facilities. As American naval activity in the Persian Gulf increased during 1987, replenishment ships operating in the Indian Ocean continued to be important to the endurance of surface forces and carrier groups. In the Gulf, the Iran-Iraq War had expanded to include attacks on commercial shipping, while American forces were preparing to escort reflagged Kuwaiti tankers under Operation Earnest Will.

Captain Donald J. Wright relieved Captain Powers in February 1988. During that year, USS WABASH participated in the logistical support of American naval forces operating in the northern Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf region. The United States was maintaining a naval escort operation for Kuwaiti tankers reflagged under American registry, intended to protect shipping from attacks during the continuing Iran-Iraq War. On April 14, 1988, the guided missile frigate USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG 58) struck an Iranian mine in the Persian Gulf and suffered extensive damage. The incident led American naval commanders to reposition ships in preparation for a military response.

USS JOSEPH STRAUSS (DDG 16) and USS BAGLEY (FF 1069), which had been proceeding toward a port visit at Mombasa, Kenya, were redirected northward. Before entering the Persian Gulf, both ships obtained fuel from USS WABASH and then proceeded through the Strait of Hormuz at high speed to join USS MERRILL and USS LYNDE McCORMICK (DDG 8). The American response culminated in Operation Praying Mantis on April 18, 1988, during which American naval forces attacked Iranian offshore military installations and engaged Iranian warships. Other vessels involved in the wider American operation included USS SIMPSON (FFG 56), USS WAINWRIGHT (CG 28), USS JACK WILLIAMS (FFG 24) and USS ENTERPRISE. The operation occurred during the final months of the Iran-Iraq War, which ended with a ceasefire in August 1988.

During 1989, USS WABASH continued operating from Long Beach as part of the Pacific Fleet's combat logistics force. Captain Gilman E. Rud relieved Captain Wright on August 5, 1989. The ship's duties included replenishment training and support for surface vessels operating from the West Coast, together with maintenance and inspections required to sustain her operational readiness. The wider strategic environment was undergoing substantial changes as relations between the United States and the Soviet Union improved and political developments in Eastern Europe began to transform the Cold War order. Nevertheless, the United States maintained regular carrier deployments to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, and replenishment ships remained necessary for sustaining naval forces over the long distances involved. USS WABASH continued to operate within this logistical organization, combining periods at sea with maintenance and preparations for further assignments.

During 1990 and 1991, USS WABASH remained in the Pacific Fleet during a period of major changes in American naval commitments. Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, led to the deployment of American and coalition forces to Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf under Operation Desert Shield. The subsequent military offensive, Operation Desert Storm, began on January 17, 1991, and concluded with the suspension of major offensive operations in late February. The conflict placed extensive demands on the Navy's replenishment and transportation systems, which supplied aircraft carriers, surface combatants, amphibious forces and other units operating in Southwest Asia. USS WABASH's recorded awards include the Southwest Asia Service Medal. Captain Stephen P. Duermeyer relieved Captain Rud on February 10, 1991.

The ship continued her Pacific Fleet service as the Navy adjusted to the reduced likelihood of large-scale confrontation with the Soviet Union and an increasing emphasis on regional military operations. The dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991 brought an end to the principal strategic confrontation that had shaped much of USS WABASH's earlier service, but American naval deployments continued in the Middle East and elsewhere.

In 1992, USS WABASH supported the carrier battle group centered on USS RANGER during the carrier's final Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment. USS RANGER departed San Diego on August 1, 1992, and proceeded across the Pacific toward the Persian Gulf. Its accompanying surface force included the guided missile cruiser USS VALLEY FORGE (CG 50) and USS KINKAID (DD 965), while USS WABASH provided the replenishment capacity required by the formation. The deployment took place during the continuing international effort to enforce restrictions imposed on Iraq after the 1991 Gulf War. On August 27, 1992, the United States and its allies began Operation Southern Watch, establishing a no-fly zone over southern Iraq.

USS RANGER passed through the Strait of Hormuz on September 14 and began supporting Southern Watch on September 15. The carrier and its accompanying warships also participated in maritime security activities and multinational exercises in the region. During this period, USS WABASH supplied fuel and other materials to the ships assigned to the force, enabling them to remain on station while the carrier conducted its scheduled flight operations. The deployment also reflected the changing international security environment following the end of the Cold War, as American naval forces increasingly conducted exercises and operations alongside ships from countries that had previously belonged to opposing military blocs.

During the Persian Gulf deployment, USS RANGER also participated in an exercise with ships from Britain, France and Russia, including the Russian guided missile destroyer ADMIRAL VINOGRADOV. The exercise involved communications, maneuvering and signaling procedures. A Russian Ka-27 Helix helicopter landed aboard USS RANGER, marking the first landing of that helicopter type aboard an American aircraft carrier. The exercise was one of several activities conducted by the carrier group in addition to the enforcement of United Nations restrictions on Iraq. USS WABASH continued providing logistical support to the American naval force during the deployment.

At the beginning of December 1992, the deployment of the USS RANGER group was redirected toward Somalia. Civil war and the collapse of the Somali government had disrupted agricultural production and the distribution of humanitarian aid, contributing to a widespread famine. International relief efforts had been impeded by fighting between armed factions, and the United Nations authorized a multinational military operation to establish security for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. On December 4, President George H. W. Bush announced the American intervention, designated Operation Restore Hope. USS RANGER, USS VALLEY FORGE and USS WABASH departed the Persian Gulf area and proceeded toward the Somali coast to support the initial deployment of American and coalition forces. USS KINKAID also operated with the carrier force during the operation. The naval mission involved providing reconnaissance, communications, air support and logistical assistance to the multinational force establishing a presence around Mogadishu. USS WABASH continued her replenishment duties during the movement to Somalia and subsequent naval operations offshore.

The initial amphibious force assigned to Operation Restore Hope included USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10), USS JUNEAU (LPD 10) and USS RUSHMORE (LSD 47), carrying Marines and their equipment. During the early hours of December 9, 1992, American Navy SEALs and Marine reconnaissance personnel landed at Mogadishu, followed by additional troops who secured the airport and port facilities. USS RANGER remained offshore to provide aerial reconnaissance, logistical helicopter support and the ability to respond to requests for air support from the forces ashore. USS VALLEY FORGE used its radar and command facilities to assist in controlling aircraft movements at Mogadishu International Airport, an unusual employment of a warship's air surveillance systems in support of operations at a land-based airport.

USS WABASH supplied the naval force with fuel and stores, supporting the continued operation of the ships assigned to the mission. On December 19, USS KITTY HAWK relieved USS RANGER off Somalia, allowing the older carrier to begin its return passage toward the United States. USS WABASH's participation in the Somalia operation was subsequently recognized among the assignments qualifying the ship for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. The mission demonstrated the continuing requirement for combat logistics ships during humanitarian and multinational military operations, even when the naval force was not engaged in a conventional maritime conflict.

Captain Carl W. Chamberlain relieved Captain Duermeyer on February 5, 1993, becoming USS WABASH's final commanding officer. Following her deployment, the replenishment oiler resumed training, maintenance and support operations along the American West Coast. During March 1993, she conducted an underway replenishment with the submarine tender USS McKEE (AS 41). The tender had departed San Diego on March 3 for a training period that continued through March 12 and included engineering drills, emergency exercises and the replenishment evolution with USS WABASH. USS WABASH continued supporting Pacific Fleet vessels during subsequent exercises and readiness inspections.

In November 1993, USS WABASH participated in replenishment training at Long Beach involving another fleet oiler, USS CIMARRON (AO 177). The latter ship had suffered a major propulsion machinery casualty in March and had subsequently undergone an extended shipyard repair period. USS CIMARRON arrived at Long Beach on November 5, 1993, while preparing to restore her underway replenishment qualifications. USS WABASH was moored across the pier from the visiting oiler and assisted its crew in practicing the transfer of fueling rigs. This allowed USS CIMARRON's personnel to rehearse the procedures for sending and receiving replenishment equipment while both vessels remained alongside. The training formed part of the work required to restore the repaired ship's operational qualifications after several months without normal sea-going operations.

USS WABASH continued replenishment exercises in December 1993. On December 7, she conducted an underway replenishment with the guided missile cruiser USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57). The cruiser was participating in Fleet Exercise 93-1B/C, following operations along the Pacific coast that included a maritime law enforcement mission resulting in the seizure of narcotics. During the replenishment with USS WABASH, USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN received its prospective commanding officer, Captain Dennis J. Van Buskirk, who began the turnover period before assuming command three days later. USS WABASH subsequently continued her own fleet support schedule. Her assignments during 1993 formed part of the Navy's regular program of readiness training, inspections and operational support, which maintained the ability of combatants and auxiliary ships to conduct replenishment operations during extended deployments.

During the first half of 1994, USS WABASH prepared for another major multinational exercise in the Pacific. She was assigned to Exercise RIMPAC 94, conducted in Hawaiian waters during May and June. The biennial exercise brought together naval forces from several Pacific nations and included surface warfare, amphibious operations, maritime maneuvering, underway replenishment and other activities intended to improve coordination between participating fleets. USS WABASH provided logistical support to vessels engaged in these operations. On May 26, 1994, she conducted an underway replenishment with the amphibious assault ship USS ESSEX (LHD 2), transferring 400,000 gallons of fuel. During the evolution, USS ESSEX also completed three practice approaches to the replenishment oiler. The amphibious assault ship was participating in preparations for the amphibious operations scheduled during RIMPAC, including exercises involving helicopters, landing craft air cushion vehicles and amphibious assault vehicles. USS WABASH's replenishment operation formed part of the logistical support required to maintain the participating ships at sea.

On May 30, 1994, USS WABASH conducted another documented underway replenishment, this time with the amphibious transport dock USS OGDEN (LPD 5), which was operating in connection with RIMPAC 94. The exercise subsequently included operations near Kaneohe Bay, Bellows Beach, Barking Sands and other training areas around the Hawaiian Islands. Amphibious ships practiced the coordination of landing forces, helicopters and landing craft while surface combatants conducted maritime exercises. USS WABASH continued supporting the participating fleet during the exercise period. On June 24, she again replenished USS OGDEN during the amphibious transport dock's return passage toward San Diego.

Following the conclusion of RIMPAC 94, USS WABASH returned to California and began preparations for decommissioning. The decision formed part of the Navy's broader reduction and reorganization of its auxiliary and combat logistics forces following the end of the Cold War. Newer replenishment vessels and ships operated by the Military Sealift Command were increasingly assuming duties previously carried out by commissioned Navy auxiliaries with military crews. During the final months of USS WABASH's service, her personnel completed the administrative, material and operational procedures required for decommissioning. The ship had received the Navy Battle Efficiency Award in two consecutive competitive cycles immediately preceding her retirement, and a letter dated September 23, 1994, from Rear Admiral Ernest F. Tedeschi, Jr., Commander, Combat Logistics Group One, specifically acknowledged her performance during RIMPAC 94. USS WABASH had earned four Battle Efficiency Awards during her career, together with two Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations, a Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Navy Expeditionary Service Medal for operations in the Iran and Indian Ocean region, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for qualifying service including the Persian Gulf and Somalia, the Vietnam Service Medal with one campaign star, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, three Humanitarian Service Medals and other decorations.

USS WABASH was decommissioned at Naval Station Long Beach on September 30, 1994, with Captain Carl W. Chamberlain as her final commanding officer. The ceremony concluded almost 23 years of commissioned service. Following decommissioning, WABASH was removed from Long Beach and taken under tow to the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay, near Benicia, California. She arrived there on October 2, 1994, and was placed in reserve storage at Row G, Berth 10. The anchorage was used for government-owned vessels withdrawn from active service, including naval auxiliaries and former merchant ships. WABASH remained in the reserve fleet as the Navy completed its administrative procedures for removing the vessel permanently from the active inventory. On April 8, 1997, she was formally stricken from the Naval Vessel Register, ending her status as a Navy vessel retained on the official register. On December 23, 1997, she was recorded as entering the Maritime Administration's Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet inventory, and the Maritime Administration subsequently acquired title to the vessel on December 18, 1998. The ship remained in storage while decisions concerning her disposal were considered.

During the following years, the former USS WABASH remained among the inactive vessels held in the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet. The Maritime Administration was responsible for the management and eventual disposal of ships in the reserve fleet that no longer had a recognized requirement for military or emergency transportation service. The process required consideration of environmental regulations, historic preservation requirements and the removal of potentially hazardous materials associated with older ships. On June 21, 2005, California's State Historic Preservation Office completed its review and cleared the former USS WABASH for disposal. Nevertheless, the vessel remained at Suisun Bay for several additional years.

On October 1, 2012, the former USS WABASH was sold for dismantling to ESCO Marine of Brownsville, Texas, under a contract valued at $2,026,726. The arrangement formed part of the Maritime Administration's continuing program to remove obsolete ships from the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet and transfer them to approved recycling facilities. On November 14, 2012, the ship was withdrawn from the reserve anchorage and moved to Mare Island, California, where preparations were carried out for her final tow. The work included cleaning and other measures required before a long-distance transfer to the dismantling facility. On December 3, 2012, the former replenishment oiler departed Mare Island under tow and passed through San Francisco Bay and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, beginning her final voyage from California to Texas. She was taken south along the Pacific coast and through the Panama Canal before continuing toward the Gulf of Mexico.

On January 24, 2013, the former USS WABASH arrived at the ESCO Marine facility in Brownsville, Texas. The vessel was subsequently dismantled.

back to top

go to the end of the page

USS WABASH Image Gallery:

The photos below were taken by me and show the WABASH laid-up at Suisun Bay, Calif., on March 27, 2010.

back to top

Back to Replenishment Oilers list.

Back to Ships list.

Back to Selection Page.

Back to 1^st Page.