U.S.S. Wichita (AOR-1)
Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 4:10PM 
Photo: Courtesy of Wikipedia
HISTORY
The hull of U.S.S. Wichita was laid down in Quincy, Massachusetts by General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division in 1966. She was the first of the Wichita Class Replenishment ships to see service. (She was later joined by USS Milwaukee, USS Kansas City, USS Savannah, USS Wasbah, USS Kalamazoo and USS Roanoke.)
USS Wichita (4th Column, front), part of Battle Group Echo Formation, 1987
She was comissioned in July 1969 and after a long trek through the Panama Canal she arrived on the West Coast in Long Beach, which became her home port. She was put into action a short time later supporting ships in the Vietnam War. During her time there, she earned four battle stars and an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, which was for replenishing 23 ships within one day. She also served as Ambassador to ports in South America and Canada.
U.S.S. Wichita was equiped with twin Phalanx Close-In Weapons Systems for anti-missile/anti-aircraft defence. Eventually, this was supplemented with single Sea Sparrow MK 29 missile launchers which protected against surface and air threats by utilizing the Rim-7 NATO SeaSparrow Missile. She also had the ability to support (2) CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters if necessary.
She provided over 30,000,000 gallons of oil and gasoline and 10,000 tons of ammunition to over 240 ships throughout her 24 years of service until she was decomissioned in 1993.
CURRENT STATUS
In 1998 she was transfered to Suisun Bay and became a member of the Reserve Fleet where she has sat ever since.
Inside the 'Treatment Room' where two operating tables and a dentist chair were installed for patient care.
Dentist chair inside the 'Treatment Room' on the 02 Level.
Inside the 2nd deck crew mess.
Crew bunks on the 2nd deck.
Checker tables on the 2nd deck.
Reader Comments (2)
Great post and picture, Reminds me of my grandfather who worked in Navy during WW11. He show me a lot of picture while he was in the battleship..
I served from 1981 to1985 made two west pacs. Thanks for the photos and info.great work