78-558: For a ship with a similar name, see USS Niagara Falls (AFS-3) . USS Niagara may refer to the following ships of the United States Navy : USS Niagara (1813) , was a brig launched in 1813, and served as Oliver Hazard Perry 's flagship during the Battle of Lake Erie . Sunk for preservation in 1820, she was raised in 1913 and rebuilt as US Brig Niagara for
156-483: A USS prefix), have hull numbers as an equivalent commissioned ship would have with the prefix T- and are primarily civilian crewed by either civil service mariners or contract crews (see United States Merchant Marine ) as is the case of the special mission ships. Some ships may have Navy or Marine Corps personnel on board to carry out communication and special mission functions, or for force protection. Ships on charter or equivalent, retain commercial colors and bear
234-525: A fifth program (Service Support). The Prepositioning and Sealift programs are unchanged by the 2012 reorganization. As of June 2013, Military Sealift Command operated around 110 ships, and employed 9,800 people (88% of whom are civilians). In 2015, the Military Sealift Command underwent further restructuring with the relocation from the former headquarters at Washington Navy Yard to Naval Station Norfolk . The Combat Logistics Force
312-575: A realignment of its structure to increase its efficiency while maintaining effectiveness. To better manage this new program structure, MSC repositioned three of its key Senior Executive Service (SES) personnel, with one SES acting as the program executive over MSC's government-operated ships, a second SES serving as the program executive over contract-operated ships, and a third SES overseeing total force manpower management for MSC worldwide operations. Also, MSC realigned two of its four mission-driven programs (Combat Logistics Force and Special Mission) and adding
390-601: A subordinate command of Military Sealift Command and is a single Type Commander (TYCOM) execution command having worldwide responsibility to crew, train, equip and maintain MSC government-owned, government-operated ships. MSFSC officially stood up on 13 November 2005. Stand up of the Ship Support Units (SSUs) followed establishment of MSFSC, their parent command. SSU San Diego stood up in conjunction with MSFSC. By late 2008, all subordinate SSUs were fully operational. MSFSC
468-611: A total of 10,743 pallets, double the average number during a similar deployment time frame. It was reported in April 2003 that Niagara Falls crewman had developed a unique external method for transporting mail during VERTREP to overcome differences of the SH-60 helicopters compared to the older, roomier HH-46 helicopters. Niagara Falls was dispatched from Guam on 2 January 2005 in support of Tsunami Relief Operations ( Operation Unified Assistance ), ferrying relief supplies from Singapore to
546-421: A union-crewed merchant ship could provide some or all of the fleet support services normally provided by navy oilers. Extensive trials were conducted using the civilian crewed merchant tanker SS Erna Elizabeth equipped with both alongside and astern fueling gear to test the feasibility of augmenting (not replacing) the service force with ships of the U.S. Merchant Marine . The success of 'Charger Log' contributed to
624-615: Is achieved through the use of commercial charter vessels, Large, Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off ships, and the Maritime Administration's Ready Reserve Force , including the eight former MSC fast sealift ships . Sealift is divided into three separate project offices: Tanker Project Office, Dry Cargo Project Office and the Surge Project Office. Formerly the Fleet Ordnance and Dry Cargo (PM6), it
702-497: Is an organization that controls the replenishment and military transport ships of the United States Navy . Military Sealift Command has the responsibility for providing sealift and ocean transportation for all US military services as well as for other government agencies. It first came into existence on 9 July 1949 when the Military Sea Transportation Service ( MSTS ) became solely responsible for
780-560: Is believed by investigators, that Walker made dead drops in ports of call including the Philippines and Hong Kong. Suspecting intelligence breach from the Niagara Falls, an intelligence operative was inserted as a junior Radioman in the mid-1970s to confirm, but the findings were inconclusive. Walker's accomplice Jerry Whitworth served aboard Niagara Falls as chief radioman and CMS custodian from 1978 to 1979. Niagara Falls
858-453: Is composed of twelve Dry Cargo/Ammunition ships and two Fast Combat Support ships. Dry Cargo and Ammunition ships, or T-AKEs, were designed to replenish dry and refrigerated stores as well as ordnance. They have replaced combat stores ships and ammunition ships incorporating the capabilities of both platforms into one hull. These multi-product ships increase the delivery capability to provide food, fuel, spare parts, ammunition and potable water to
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#1732772409586936-657: Is different from Wikidata All set index articles USS Niagara Falls (AFS-3) USS Niagara Falls (AFS–3) , a Mars -class combat stores ship , was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named after the City of Niagara Falls, New York . Commissioned into the US Navy on 29 April 1967, she served until September 1994, when she was transferred to the US Military Sealift Command to serve as USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS-3) . Assigned to
1014-631: Is forward presence and power projection. Prepositioning extends the reach of operations, isolates conflicts away from the United States, allows for a swift response to conflict, and reduces time and resources delegated to transporting cargo. The MSC Prepositioning Program supports the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps and the Defense Logistics Agency . Prepositioning ships remain at sea, ready to deploy on short-notice
1092-509: Is located at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, VA. As a result of a 2012 organization, MSC's 12 worldwide MSC ship support units (SSUs) will now report to the MSC operational area commands in their respective areas of responsibility. These are responsible for crewing, training, equipping and maintaining MSC's government-owned, government-operated ships. Formerly, these SSUs had reported to MSC's Military Sealift Fleet Support Command (MSFSC),
1170-1087: Is yet to recognize these Australian studies and grant health coverage to the "bluewater" sailors who have been exposed on Niagara Falls and other navy ships that performed missions along the Vietnam coast. On 6 September 1983, Niagara Falls changed homeports to Guam and became part of the forward deployed elements of CTF 73/75, part of the 7th Fleet . From that time until January 1991 the ship conducted three Refresher Training sessions, five OPPRE's, four SMI's, five ARE's, and three INSURV Inspections. She made port calls to numerous locations such as Yokosuka and Sasebo, Japan; Hong Kong; Subic Bay and Cebu , Philippines; Bali , Indonesia; Fremantle / Perth , Australia; Singapore; Muscat , Oman; Bahrain ; Pattaya and Phuket , Thailand; Fujiarah , UAE; and Diego Garcia . A number of these locations were visited more than once. Niagara Falls participated in numerous Fleet Support Operations including repeated Masirah Airheads, Operation Team Spirit and PACEX-89. Niagara Falls received
1248-464: The Abraham Lincoln for distribution to the damaged areas. On 27 October 2005 Niagara Falls ran aground while departing Malakal Harbor, Palau at 13:00 local time, but was able to free itself two days later at 16:20. There were no reports of injuries or leakage from the ship. Over the period of two days, Niagara Falls transferred fuel and cargo aft within the ship, reducing the weight of
1326-599: The Battle "E" after an extended deployment for almost eight months followed immediately by another short fuse deployment. Niagara Falls participated in the Tanker War phase of the Iran–Iraq War supporting Operation Prime Chance and Operation Earnest Will . In one near action the Niagara Falls crossed paths with an Iranian minelayer and during a tense hour Niagara Falls , prepared to defend herself. There
1404-586: The Department of Defense 's ocean transport needs. The MSTS was renamed the Military Sealift Command in 1970. Military Sealift Command ships are made up of a core fleet of ships owned by the United States Navy and others under long-term-charter augmented by short-term or voyage-chartered ships. The Navy-owned ships carry blue and gold stack colors, are in service with the prefix USNS (United States Naval Ship), rather than in commission (with
1482-602: The Far East . The 1960s brought the conflict in Southeast Asia . From 1965 to 1969 MSTS moved almost 54 million tons of combat equipment and supplies and almost 8 million long tons of fuel to South Vietnam . The Vietnam War era also marked the last use of MSC troop ships for personnel movement. Currently, most US troops are prepositioned by air. MSTS was renamed Military Sealift Command (MSC) in 1970. In 1971 Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Elmo Zumwalt proposed
1560-589: The Government Accountability Office issued a report detailing readiness issues that limited at-sea mission capabilities, prompting an investigation from the Department of Defense's Inspector General. History Military Sealift Command operated former ships of the U.S. Navy, which upon decommissioning changes prefixes from United States Ship (USS) to United States Naval Ship (USNS). In rare instances, ships were transferred from MSC to
1638-568: The Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force , Far East, she served until 30 September 2008, when she was finally deactivated. Niagara Falls was designed to deliver refrigerated stores, dry provisions, technical spares, and general stores type matériel to the Fleet at sea. Her configuration provided for rapid issue rates using a minimum of men and the latest in transfer-at-sea methods, cargo handling, storage techniques, and automation. She
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#17327724095861716-589: The Straits of Hormuz at midnight on 16 January 1991 and assigned an operating area in the northern end of the Persian Gulf , known as the 'NAG' or North Arabian Gulf operational area, this was the sea opposite Kuwait which was heavily mined by Iraqi prior to the start of combat operations. Due to limited mine countermeasure assets in the Persian Gulf and Niagara Falls operating area, an EODMU detachment
1794-649: The U.S. Army and U.S. Navy chartered American merchant ships separately. Following the Mexican–American War , Brigadier General Thomas S. Jesup , Quartermaster of the Army, recommended that the Navy be given responsibility for all water transportation requirements for the military. However, each service managed their own sea transportation throughout the nineteenth century and both World Wars. In World War II , four government agencies conducted military sealift functions,
1872-464: The Yankee Station and Market Time areas. Niagara Falls completed the last replenishment of her 1968 deployment on 15 September, called at Hong Kong from 17 through 21 September, at Pearl Harbor from 9–10 October, and arrived back at San Diego on 17 October. Completing preparations for another deployment and transfer of homeport to Sasebo to commence 3 January 1969 with the arrival of
1950-600: The "7th Fleet Finest Combat Logistic Support Ship" award for her performance in PACEX-89, a combined US, Korean, and Japanese naval exercise which was the largest since the end of the Korean War. Included in PACEX-89 such notable ships as New Jersey , Missouri , USS Enterprise and Nimitz . During PACEX-89 Niagara Falls was the command ship for the Underway Replenishment Group. Due to
2028-534: The 100th anniversary of the battle. USS Niagara (1855) , was an American Civil War -era steam frigate launched in 1855 and sold in 1885 USS Niagara (1898) , was a steamer , built in 1877, and acquired by the US Navy in 1898 for service in the Spanish–American War and sold in 1899 A submarine tender named Niagara was laid down in 1911 but renamed USS Fulton prior to completion USS Niagara (SP-246) ,
2106-484: The 1970s and 1980s MSC provided the Department of Defense with ocean transportation. During the first Persian Gulf War , consisting of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm , MSC distinguished itself as the largest source of defense transportation of any nation involved. Command resources delivered more than 12 million tons (11 million metric tonnes) of wheeled and tracked vehicles, helicopters, ammunition, dry cargo, fuel and other supplies and equipment during
2184-472: The 45-foot (14 m) sailboat Galilee that had been the object of an intense search for more than a month. When sighted, the boat was about 400 nautical miles (740 km) west/northwest of Honolulu. The three crew members had been without food since 27 July (the Galilee departed Tahiti on 17 June for Honolulu). Rescued were Julian Ritter , Laurene Louise Kokx and Winfried Bernard Heiringhoff. According to
2262-571: The AE. The pumping rate was considerably less than that of a fleet oiler and, while workable, contained many drawbacks. By the time the USNS ; Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) entered service on 19 December 1986, the Navy had transferred the five Second World War vintage tankers of the Mispillion class and the six 1950s-built Neosho -class fleet oilers to the Military Sealift Command. Through
2340-529: The Amphibious Group, and the hospital ships. During this period Niagara Falls would mainly resupply from Jebel Ali , Dubai , however stops were also made at Bahrain and Abu Dhabi . While returning from the Gulf War and enjoying a liberty call at Phuket, Thailand, when the volcano Mount Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines. Niagara Falls duty crews loaded some stores at Phuket and while ending
2418-604: The Commonwealth Coalition ship in charge at the scene declined the manpower and requested spare fire fighting foam be supplied. For spending 143 days in the combat zone, and operating North of 28.30 N and West of 49.30 E between 17 January–28 February 1991 the ship was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon . During the course of the war the Niagara Falls primary assignment was USS Missouri and her battlegroup, however she also serviced USS Ranger ,
USS Niagara - Misplaced Pages Continue
2496-562: The Department of Defense's Transportation Command for defense transportation matters, to the Navy Fleet Forces Command for Navy-unique matters, and to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) for procurement policy and oversight matters. Military Sealift Command is organized around eight programs: On 9 January 2012, the MSC command organization was reorganized via
2574-619: The Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program but was changed to (EPF) in September 2015. The Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) program is a cooperative effort for a high-speed, shallow draft vessel intended for rapid intratheater transport of medium-sized cargo payloads. The EPF will reach speeds of 35–45 knots (65–83 km/h; 40–52 mph) and will allow for the rapid transit and deployment of conventional or special forces as well as equipment and supplies. MSC headquarters
2652-958: The Naval Overseas Transportation Service (NOTS), the Army Transport Service , the U.S. Maritime Commission 's War Shipping Administration , and the Fleet Support Services. To oversee these organizations, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) established the Joint Military Transportation Command. On 15 December 1948, the Secretary of Defense James Forrestal issued a statement, "all military sea transport including Army transports would be placed under Navy command." Issues with funding held up
2730-569: The New Year, Niagara Falls steamed for WestPac a second time. During the Vietnam War Niagara Falls participated in the following campaigns: Vietnamese Counter Offensive Phases IV, V, VI; Tet 69 / Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer/Fall 69; Vietnam Winter/Spring 70; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase VII; Consolidation I; Vietnam Ceasefire. On 14 September 1970, Niagara Falls found and rescued
2808-698: The Persian Gulf. Niagara Falls was decommissioned in September 1994 and assigned to the Military Sealift Command where she was placed in service on 23 September 1994 as USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS-3) , assigned to the Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force . On 19 April 1997, while conducting a VERTREP with Constellation one of Niagara Falls UH-46E Sea Knight helicopters crashed into the sea. The crash occurred approximately 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km) southwest of Hawaii and all four crew members were safely rescued. The helicopter crew members from Helicopter Support Squadron Five were rescued by
2886-585: The Seventh Fleet) in 1973, Admiral Johnson had to contend with the problem of how to provide logistic support for the two Seventh Fleet destroyers deployed to the Indian Ocean for an extended period of time. The answer was to turn the USS ; Kiska (AE-35) into a mini multiproduct ship by adding two cargo reefer boxes as deck cargo and outfitting it with a jury-rigged fuel station. The latter
2964-750: The U.S. Navy and allies' ships. Fast Combat Support Ships or T-AOEs provide parts, supplies and fuel at sea. Formerly the Afloat Staging Command Support (PM7) program, it is composed of the Expeditionary Mobile Base ships (replacement for the Afloat Forward Staging Base ), the Amphibious Command Ship Mount Whitney , and the cable layer Zeus . This consists of the class of ships formerly known as
3042-533: The US Navy in 1917 and converted into an armed patrol yacht. She was reclassified "PY-9" in 1920, and finally struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1931. USS Niagara (PG-52) , was a yacht built in 1929 as Hi-Esmaro . Acquired by the Navy in 1940 and sunk in battle on 22 May 1943 USS Niagara (APA-87) , was an amphibious assault ship which served from 1945 to 1950 [REDACTED] [REDACTED] List of ships with
3120-421: The advent of the all-volunteer navy made it imperative that seagoing personnel be assigned to complex warships of the fleet whenever possible. The study concluded that significant savings could be achieved if civilian mariners could be substituted for uniformed navy sailors in fleet support ships. In 1972 a joint U.S. Navy- Maritime Administration project called "Charger Log" was established to test whether or not
3198-556: The challenge of the Korean War . On 6 July 1950, eleven days after the initial invasion of South Korea by North Korean troops, MSTS deployed the 24th Infantry Division for duty in Japan to Pusan , South Korea. In addition to transporting troops and combat equipment to and from Korea, command ships supplied US bases and Distant Early Warning line construction sites and supported US nation building efforts from Europe and Africa, to
USS Niagara - Misplaced Pages Continue
3276-444: The collision of the oil tanker Nagasaki Spirit and container ship Ocean Blessing. The Niagara Falls was the first ship on the scene, using her helicopters to search the waters for survivors and crew to secure the wrecked ships and body recovery. In August 1992, Typhoon Omar swept through the island of Guam. The ship was down for service to main gear and was unable to go to sea. The ship was torn from its mooring lines and swept across
3354-459: The deployment of these types in support of any of the surface warfare groups, which were generally composed of destroyers and frigates. The old saying that necessity is the mother of invention proved to be true when Rear Admiral John Johnson devised a practical solution to the shortage of fuel-carrying UNREP ships based on the modification of existing cargo transfer gear on ammunition and stores ships. As commander Task Force 73 (the service force of
3432-521: The destroyers on the gun line and continuing up to Yankee Station to replenish the aircraft carriers, including USS Ranger and USS Kitty Hawk . Following the cease fire, Niagara Falls supported Operation End Sweep to clear Haiphong harbor of the mines that were dropped by naval aircraft. Captain E.B. McDaniel served as Commanding Officer from June 1975 to September 1976. The noted spy John Anthony Walker , Jr. (Johnny) served in Niagara Falls ' radio room from 1971 to 1974. It
3510-632: The first of many replenishments. Upon arrival on 22 April at An Thoi , South Vietnam , she transferred over 100 tons of matériel, and two days later she supplied amphibious units in Vũng Tàu . In Cam Ranh Bay 25 April, Niagara Falls supplied ships and the Naval Support Activity there . She also supplied ships of the Naval Gunfire Support Group off the Vietnam coast, and made several replenishment swings through
3588-495: The formation of the Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force. The navy oiler USS Taluga (AO-62) was the first fleet-support ship to be placed under MSC control. Decommissioned on 4 May 1972, she was transferred to the MSC and redesignated T-AO-62. After its transfer, the ship underwent a thorough overhaul that included refurbishment of equipment, gear, and refueling rigs, modification of crew quarters, and
3666-488: The forward area of the ship. During the afternoon high tide period on 29 October, the ship was able to free itself under its own power and with the assistance of a local tug boat. USNS Niagara Falls completed her last mission support operation in July 2008, and was deactivated at Pearl Harbor in September 2008. In 2010 the ship was selected to be sunk as a target. At approximately 11:30 am 14 July 2012, Niagara Falls
3744-614: The liberty port call early, proceeded to Singapore to load additional supplies, and steamed to Subic Bay to offload food and stores for the relief and recovery effort, named Operation Fiery Vigil . Even arriving in Subic Bay some days after the main eruption, Niagara Falls was quickly covered in layer of ash reminiscent of a heavy snowfall. Five crewmen were left in Phuket and rejoined the ship at her home port in Guam. Late 1991 to early 1992
3822-642: The main harbor, hitting a refueling barge and ultimately running aground on the lagoon's shallow shore. The damage to the ship was minimal, however her sister-ship, White Plains , was torn from its mooring lines and ran aground on hard coral beach in Apra Harbor . Once made operational, Niagara Falls sailed to the Yokosuka Naval Base's shipyard for further repairs and trials. The ship return to Guam in early September to load its stores for its next deployment. The ship left late September 1992 for
3900-559: The nature of the tasking of a combat stores ship, and the outstanding performance Niagara Falls provided in logistic support service, she has earned the nickname "Fighting Falls" by the Seventh Fleet. Through 1991 Niagara Falls had supported Seventh Fleet operations during 15 WestPac/Indian Ocean/Persian Gulf deployments. Niagara Falls was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation as well as receiving
3978-447: The new Service Support program. Military Sealift Command's Prepositioning Program is an element in the US's triad of power projection into the 21st century—sea shield, sea strike and sea basing. As a key element of sea basing, afloat prepositioning provides the military equipment and supplies for a contingency forward deployed in key ocean areas before need. Part the prepositioning strategy
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#17327724095864056-441: The new combat store ship loaded 2,500 tons of stores at Naval Supply Depot, Oakland , and through September completed final acceptance trials and post-shakedown availability at San Diego . By 4 February 1968, Niagara Falls completed her shakedown availability and continued preparations for her first deployment. She steamed for WestPac on 28 March, arrived at US Naval Base Subic Bay , Philippines on 14 April, and there conducted
4134-690: The program in a Reduced Operational Status (ROS). Formerly Service Support (PM4) it consists of fleet ocean tugs, rescue and salvage ships, submarines tenders, and hospitals ships formerly from the NFAF. Command ships and cable layers were transferred to the N037 program. The mission of the Sealift Program is to provide ocean transportation to the Department of Defense by meeting its sealift requirements in peace, contingency, and war with quality, efficient cost effective assets and centralized management. This
4212-437: The quick reaction of other CH-46 helicopters on-scene at the time of the incident. Assisting in the rescue was a motor-whale boat from Niagara Falls. The four crew members, who escaped injury, were transported to Constellation for medical observation and were released to Niagara Falls the same day. Between 11 September and 27 November 2001 Niagara Falls broke both her Navy and TAR records for number of pallets moved with
4290-556: The removal of armaments. She entered service with a crew of 105 civilian mariners hired by the government augmented by a sixteen-member naval complement. The shortage of multiproduct replenishment ships in the early 1970s led to the development of an improvised system for dispensing fuel from ammunition and stores ships that allowed them to transfer fuel to smaller combatants. Neither type of ship had cargo fuel, but each could share its own fuel with destroyers and frigates in an emergency. The lack of sufficient numbers of AOEs or AORs precluded
4368-519: The same or similar names This article includes a list of ships with the same or similar names. If an internal link for a specific ship led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended ship article, if one exists. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=USS_Niagara&oldid=1151509676 " Categories : Set index articles on ships United States Navy ship names Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description
4446-480: The ship entered drydock for refit and overhaul. This saw the upgrade to refueling station capacities by adding an "arm" to one of the ship's "M" Frames. In the spring and summer of 1992, the ship took a mini-Westpac cruise of the south-west Asian ports of Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. On 19 September 1992 while transiting the Malacca Strait near Medan , Indonesia the ship responded to distress calls from
4524-484: The ship's doctor, the rescuees were days away from death. During the period 15–30 July 1971 Niagara Falls and USS Sacramento are noted by USS Enterprise operating at Yankee Station as conducting a complex four-helicopter VERTREP . Niagara Falls returned to Vietnam in 1972, continued its replenishment cycle of one weekend in port (normally Subic Bay) and two weeks "on line," throughout later 1972 and into early 1973. Normal routine included resupplying
4602-709: The specialized services this program supports. Special mission ships work for several different US Navy customers, including the Naval Sea Systems Command and the Oceanographer of the Navy. These ships like those of the NFAF are painted haze gray with blue and gold stack bands. After a 2012 reorganization, this program now maintains all of its 24 contract-operated ships involved in missile range instrumentation, ocean surveillance, submarine and special warfare support, oceanographic survey, and navigation test support. Some of its ships were transferred to
4680-419: The standard merchant prefix MV , SS , or GTS , without hull numbers. Eight programs compose Military Sealift Command: Fleet Oiler (PM1), Special Mission (PM2), Strategic Sealift (PM3), Tow, Salvage, Tender, and Hospital Ship (PM4), Sealift (PM5), Combat Logistics Force (PM6), Expeditionary Mobile Base, Amphibious Command Ship, and Cable Layer (PM7) and Expeditionary Fast Transport (PM8). MSC reports to
4758-650: The transfer of the functions to the Navy. The new Secretary of Defense, Louis Johnson , issued a memorandum on 12 July 1949 that detailed service responsibilities and the funding of the new Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS). MSTS became the single managing agency for the Department of Defense's ocean transportation needs. The command assumed responsibility for providing sealift and ocean transportation for all military services as well as for other government agencies. The new command set up subcomponents, for example, Military Sea Transportation Service Pacific (ComMSTSPac). Nine months after its creation, MSTS responded to
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#17327724095864836-404: The use of MSC ships for direct support of the fleet at sea. Heretofore, these civilian-crewed ships had only been used for point to point transport of cargo. To determine the feasibility of this concept, Admiral Zumwalt directed the formation of a special study group to recommend how the navy could better utilize the MSC fleet to save both manpower and money. The high cost of training personnel after
4914-431: The vital equipment, fuel and supplies to initially support military forces in the event of a contingency. The Prepositioning Program consists of 34 at-sea ships plus two aviation support ships kept in reduced operating status. These ships wear civilian livery, and are only designated "USNS" if government-owned; those chartered from civilian owners are either "SS" or "MV". Two Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ships (T-AKE) are included in
4992-454: The war. At the high point of the war, more than 230 government-owned and chartered ships delivered the largest part of the international arsenal that defeated Saddam Hussein in Iraq . MSC was also involved in the 2003 invasion of Iraq , delivering 61,000,000 square feet (5.7 km ) of cargo and 1,100,000,000 US gallons (4,200,000 m ) of fuel by the end of the first year. In August 2017,
5070-479: Was a motor boat built in 1913 and acquired by the US Navy for World War I in 1917, and served until 1919 USS Niagara (SP-263) , was a yacht built in 1915 and acquired by the US Navy in 1917 serving until 1922. She was later transferred to the US Coast Guard , reclassified as a USLHT, and renamed Poinsettia . USS Niagara (SP-136) , was a yacht, built in 1898 and acquired by
5148-434: Was achieved by temporarily rigging a 7-inch fuel hose to the starboard side cargo station—the one closest to the ship's fuel receiving raiser. The highline was used as a span wire, and fuel hose saddles were supported from a wire whip from a nearby hauling winch or a fiber whip from a nearby gypsy. Fuel was pumped from the ship's own fuel bunkers to the receiving ship alongside using the fuel-transfer pump normally carried aboard
5226-477: Was assigned. During the course of the war Niagara Falls destroyed five naval mines herself while operating in the northern Persian Gulf. One interesting incident on 23 January was the visible flash of an explosion reported by the aft lookout, possibly an errant Scud missile which had been reported heading out into the Persian Gulf. On 29 March Niagara Falls assisted the M/V Mercs Horana which
5304-760: Was capable of simultaneous replenishment of one ship on each side as well as transfer of matériel by cargo helicopters, which she carried. Niagara Falls was laid down on 22 May 1965 at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego; launched on 26 March 1966; sponsored by wife of the senior senator Jacob Javits , from New York; delivered to the Navy at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard , Long Beach, California , on 20 April 1967; and commissioned on 29 April. After initial shakedown ,
5382-407: Was disestablished following restructuring when Military Sealift Command relocated to Naval Station Norfolk from the Washington Navy Yard. Sealift's capabilities are significantly hampered by biofouling . Maintenance is sometimes performed to remove fouling, but sealift maintenance must follow the Uniform National Discharge Standards for the chemicals used in this process. As early as 1847, both
5460-486: Was during his time aboard Niagara Falls serving as communications officer and Classified Materials Systems (CMS) custodian that Walker had access to the various cryptographic machines ( KW-7, KWR-37, KG-14, KY-8, and KL-47 ) providing the keys for nearly all of them to the KGB . Being a supply ship, Niagara Falls received classified messages about ships movements off Vietnam and in the South China Sea . In order to deliver this classified information to soviet contacts, it
5538-821: Was formed from the following MSC elements: Portions of Sealift Logistics Command Atlantic and the former Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force East; Portions of Sealift Logistics Command Pacific; Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force West (except those positions remaining in SSU San Diego); and The Afloat Personnel Management Center. MSFSC was also responsible for providing support to other MSC assets as directed. MSFSC has ship support units, or SSUs, in Naples, Bahrain, Singapore, Guam , Yokohama and San Diego. The SSUs (except for Guam and Yokohama) are collocated with their respective numbered fleet operational logistics task force commanders and Sealift Logistics Commands, but are not within that chain of command. SSUs provide local TYCOM support to ships in their area of operations and report directly to MSFSC. MSFSC
5616-796: Was formerly called the Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force . After a 2012 reorganization, this program now maintains the 32 government-operated fleet underway replenishment ships from the former Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force (NFAF). Fleet replenishment oilers form the Oilers Program N031, while the dry cargo/ammunition ships and fast combat support ships were separated to Explosive Program N036. Military Sealift Command's Special Mission Program controls 24 ships that provide operating platforms and services for unique US Military and federal government missions. Oceanographic and hydrographic surveys, underwater surveillance, missile flight data collection and tracking, acoustic research and submarine support are among
5694-520: Was further exposed to runoff of Agent Orange and other herbicides when she anchored in Da Nang Harbor, returned to Cam Rahn Bay, and steamed along littoral waters of South Vietnam. Studies of Royal Australian Navy ships show that salt water evaporative distilling systems actually increased the concentration of Agent Orange in drinking and cooking water, and the distilling system became coated in herbicide toxins. The Department of Veterans Affairs
5772-537: Was included on a list of ships that were exposed to Agent Orange . The Department of Veterans Affairs identified certain vessel types that operated primarily or exclusively on the inland Vietnam waterways. Because she went up river, Niagara Falls was recognized as exposed to contaminated waterways during missions on the Saigon River and in Cam Ranh Bay, 22–25 April 1968. Throughout the war, Niagara Falls
5850-804: Was no exchange of fire, the intelligence on the minelayer was relayed by Captain Gay to the fleet and the Iranian ship was subsequently intercepted by US Navy combatant forces. Niagara Falls often visited Bahrain, Fujiarah, Muscat, and the obligatory Masirah Airhead Evolutions during this time. Niagara Falls was one of the first non-depot ships to be assigned female crew members, starting with Lt-Cmdr. Carol Rengstorff as Executive Officer. Approximately 30 female sailors and officers were made part of Niagara Falls crew shortly thereafter. Niagara Falls participated in Operation Desert Storm , transiting
5928-596: Was sunk by multiple UTM-84, RGM-84 , GBU-10 , GBU-32 and 30mm impacts in waters 15,480 feet (4,720 m) deep, 63 nautical miles (117 km; 72 mi) southwest of Kauai as a target vessel during the 2012 RIMPAC exercise. The USS Niagara Falls is authorized the following awards: [REDACTED] This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships . The entry can be found here . Military Sealift Command The Military Sealift Command ( MSC )
6006-594: Was the part of the MSC most associated with directly supporting the Navy. In 1972, a study concluded that it would be cheaper for civilians to man USN support vessels such as tankers and stores ships. The CLF is the American equivalent of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary . These MSC ships are painted haze gray and can be easily identified by the blue and gold horizontal bands around the top of their central smokestack. The Combat Logistics Force
6084-473: Was undergoing a major shipboard fire while underway in the central Persian Gulf. Niagara Falls arrived at night and the crew was presented with the sobering image of the Horana ' s superstructure fully engulfed in flames, and four other coalition ships, including Shasta and Francis Hammond circling the burning vessel. Niagara Falls At-Sea Fire Party was told to stand ready to motorboat over, however
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