USS ANNAPOLIS AGMR-1

• First of Her Kind: USS Annapolis (AGMR-1) was the first United States Navy ship specifically designed and built as an Auxiliary General Major Relay (AGMR), a floating communications relay station. • Converted from a Cruiser: Annapolis started life as the Cleveland-class light cruiser USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107) before being extensively converted to her new role as AGMR-1 in the early 1960s. • Vietnam War Service: The USS Annapolis played a crucial role during the Vietnam War by providing vital communications links between ships at sea and command centers ashore, ensuring the flow of information in combat zones. • Nickname “The Can-Do Ship”: Owing to her mission success and the crew’s versatility, Annapolis earned the nickname “The Can-Do Ship” while deployed in the Western Pacific. • Advanced Communications Tech: She was outfitted with state-of-the-art (for her time) communication equipment, including satellite and high-frequency radio systems, making her one of the most advanced communications ships in the world. • Flagship Duties: Annapolis occasionally served as a flagship for the Commander, Seventh Fleet, further highlighting her importance in naval operations. • Unusual Crew Mix: The ship’s crew included not only sailors but also a significant number of Navy Communications Technicians who operated the sophisticated electronic equipment. • Mail and Morale: Annapolis served as a mail relay, handling thousands of personal messages for sailors and Marines deployed on combat missions, directly impacting morale. • Decommissioning and Fate: After years of service, USS Annapolis was decommissioned in 1976 and was eventually scrapped in 1984, ending her unique chapter in naval history. • Legacy: The success of Annapolis paved the way for future generations of Navy communications ships, influencing the design and concept of modern command and control vessels.