About this Unit
USNS Andrew J. Higgins (T-AO-190) was a Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler of the United States Navy. Launched in 1987 and delivered to the Military Sealift Command in 1989, she was named in honor of Andrew Jackson Higgins, the designer of the famous WWII Higgins boat landing craft. Throughout her service, the Andrew J. Higgins provided vital underway replenishment of fuel and supplies to U.S. Navy ships at sea, supporting operations worldwide. After nearly two decades of service, she was removed from active service and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1999.
Historical Facts
• Namesake Heroism: USNS Andrew J. Higgins (T-AO-190) is named after Andrew Jackson Higgins, the American industrialist whose Higgins boats (LCVPs) were crucial to amphibious assaults in World War II, especially during the D-Day landings.
• Oiler Class: She is a Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler, providing underway replenishment of fuel to U.S. Navy ships at sea, extending their operational range and endurance.
• Launch and Service Dates: The ship was launched on July 2, 1987, by Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans, Louisiana, and entered service with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) in 1989.
• Civilian Crew: Unlike many Navy vessels, USNS Andrew J. Higgins is operated by a civilian crew under the MSC, with only a small contingent of military personnel onboard.
• Operational Range: The oiler can carry approximately 180,000 barrels of oil (about 7.6 million gallons), allowing it to refuel multiple ships during a single mission.
• Global Presence: Throughout her service, the ship has supported fleet operations around the world, including deployments in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf.
• Modern Replenishment: The ship is equipped with five fueling stations and can refuel two ships at once while underway, a vital capability for supporting carrier strike groups and other naval formations.
• Humanitarian Missions: In addition to military support, USNS Andrew J. Higgins has taken part in humanitarian and disaster relief missions, delivering fuel and supplies to areas in need.
• Support to War Efforts: The oiler has played an essential role in supporting U.S. naval operations during major conflicts, including Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, by ensuring the fleet remained fueled and ready.
• Deactivation and Reserve: USNS Andrew J. Higgins was placed in reserve in 1996, then reactivated in 2000, and eventually removed from active service in 2014, demonstrating the fluctuating needs and flexibility of the Navy’s auxiliary fleet.
