About this Unit
USS Butte (AE-27) was a Kilauea-class ammunition ship commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1968. Designed to deliver ammunition and ordnance to combat ships at sea, Butte played a vital logistical role during the Vietnam War and later participated in operations throughout the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern waters. The ship supported multiple U.S. and allied naval operations, including deployments during the Cold War and Operation Desert Storm in 1991. After decades of distinguished service, USS Butte was decommissioned in 1996 and later scrapped.
Historical Facts
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Commissioning and Namesake: USS Butte (AE-27) was commissioned on December 14, 1968. The ship was named after Butte, Montana, continuing the tradition of naming ammunition ships after U.S. cities.
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Class and Purpose: Butte was a Kilauea-class ammunition ship, designed to carry, store, and transfer ammunition and explosives to combat ships at sea, ensuring fleet readiness during extended operations.
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Vietnam War Service: Shortly after commissioning, Butte deployed to the Western Pacific and supported U.S. forces during the Vietnam War by providing vital ammunition resupply.
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Rapid Response: In 1972, Butte set a record for the fastest ammunition transfer to an aircraft carrier, resupplying the USS Constellation (CV-64) in just over four hours during combat operations.
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Cold War Operations: Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Butte participated in multiple NATO exercises and Mediterranean deployments, reinforcing America's naval presence in Europe and the Middle East.
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Lebanon Peacekeeping: In 1983, Butte supported U.S. Marine forces off the coast of Lebanon, providing ammunition and logistics during the multinational peacekeeping mission in Beirut.
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Collision Incident: In 1981, Butte experienced a minor collision with the USS Kalamazoo (AOR-6) during an underway replenishment but sustained only limited damage and continued its mission.
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Operation Desert Storm: Butte played a support role during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, ensuring coalition ships remained supplied with ammunition during combat operations in the Persian Gulf.
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Decommissioning and Transfer: The ship was decommissioned from the U.S. Navy on June 6, 1996, and transferred to the Military Sealift Command, where it continued to serve as USNS Butte (T-AE-27) until 1997.
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Final Fate: After being struck from the Naval Vessel Register, Butte was designated for disposal. In July 2006, she was sunk as a target during a fleet training exercise, ending her long and eventful service.
