USS-BELMONT AGTR-4

• Unique Mission: USS Belmont (AGTR-4) was a technical research ship, primarily used for intelligence gathering and electronic surveillance during the Cold War, under the guise of "oceanographic research." • Converted Cargo Ship: The vessel was originally constructed as the commercial cargo ship SS Iran Victory in 1944, and later converted by the U.S. Navy to serve as a technical research ship in 1963. • Part of the "AGTR" Fleet: Belmont was one of only five ships designated AGTR (Auxiliary General Technical Research), specially outfitted for electronic intelligence (ELINT) operations. • Role in the Six-Day War: USS Belmont was operating in the Mediterranean Sea during the 1967 Six-Day War, monitoring communications in the region at the same time as the more famous USS Liberty incident. • Cryptologic Crew: In addition to its regular Navy crew, Belmont often carried a large contingent of NSA and cryptologic personnel for signals intelligence (SIGINT) duties. • Cold War Hotspots: Belmont's missions took her to global hotspots, including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and off the coast of Africa, often shadowing Soviet naval movements. • Notable Incident: In 1968, Belmont played a role in monitoring Soviet naval activity following the North Korean capture of the USS Pueblo, another intelligence-gathering ship. • Disguised Communications: To maintain secrecy, many of her communications and mission details were classified; the ship often used cover stories and coded messages. • Decommissioning: USS Belmont was decommissioned in 1970 due to budget constraints and advances in satellite intelligence technology, ending her unique intelligence-gathering service. • Final Fate: After decommissioning, she was sold for scrap in 1971, marking the end of a brief but notable career during a critical period of Cold War history.