Service Craft San Diego YTL-560 59-60; USS Mispillion AO-105 60-61

Service Craft San Diego YTL-560 59-60; USS Mispillion AO-105 60-61 Homepage Photos Members

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Branch

U.S. Navy

Members

About Service Craft San Diego YTL-560 59-60; USS Mispillion AO-105 60-61

**Service Craft San Diego YTL-560 (1959-1960):** YTL-560 was a yard tug assigned to Service Craft San Diego in the late 1950s. Throughout 1959 and 1960, it provided essential harbor services such as towing, docking, and maneuvering ships within the busy naval facilities of San Diego, California. The tug played a vital role in supporting the operational readiness of larger fleet units by ensuring the efficient movement of vessels in the harbor. **USS Mispillion (AO-105) (1960-1961):** Commissioned in 1945, the USS Mispillion was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler. During 1960-1961, she continued her mission of underway replenishment in the Pacific, supplying fuel, lubricants, and stores to ships of the U.S. Navy. This support was critical during the Cold War era, enabling extended fleet operations and maintaining American naval presence in strategic waters. Mispillion’s service in these years demonstrated the indispensable role of oilers in power projection and fleet sustainability.

Unit Members

James L. Rambo

U.S. Navy

Service Craft San Diego YTL-560 59-60; USS Mispillion AO-105 60-61View Profile

Gina Guerra

U.S. Navy

Service Craft San Diego YTL-560 59-60; USS Mispillion AO-105 60-61View Profile

Photos

FR Jose Ferrera III

U.S. Navy • 1981

FR Jose Ferrera III

U.S. Navy • 1981

FR Jose Ferrera III

U.S. Navy • 1981

FR Jose Ferrera III

U.S. Navy • 1981

About Service Craft San Diego YTL-560 59-60; USS Mispillion AO-105 60-61

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Service Craft San Diego YTL-560 (1959-1960): • Harbor Tug Legacy: YTL-560 was part of a class of small harbor tugs built during and after WWII, serving vital roles in towing, ship handling, and harbor logistics at major naval bases like San Diego. • Daily Life: Crew members on YTLs performed diverse jobs — from firefighting and rescues to routine harbor duties, making every day potentially different and challenging. • Cold War Era: During 1959-60, YTL-560 operated in the heightened tensions of the Cold War, supporting increased naval readiness and mobility at San Diego, a key Pacific Fleet hub. • Support for Major Ships: YTL-560 assisted in docking and undocking aircraft carriers, cruisers, and destroyers, ensuring smooth operations for some of the Navy’s largest vessels. • Human Touch: Small tug crews often became close-knit teams, with stories of pranks, camaraderie, and teamwork under pressure becoming part of their legacy. • USS Mispillion (AO-105), 1960-1961: • Oiler Mission: USS Mispillion was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler, essential for underway replenishment – refueling warships at sea to extend their operational reach. • Far East Deployments: In the early 1960s, Mispillion often deployed to the Western Pacific, supporting the 7th Fleet and U.S. presence during early Vietnam War tensions. • Replenishment Underway: Conducting underway replenishments required precision seamanship; Mispillion’s crew frequently trained and performed alongside carriers and destroyers, sometimes in rough seas. • Crew Stories: Sailors recall “line-throwing competitions” and the unique challenge of living and working around miles of fuel hose, with the ever-present risk of spills and fires. • Humanitarian Role: Beyond refueling, Mispillion and her crew occasionally provided assistance during emergencies at sea, including search and rescue operations or helping distressed civilian vessels.