USS Caloosahatchee (AO-98)

• Commissioned After WWII: USS Caloosahatchee (AO-98) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler commissioned on 10 October 1945, just months after the end of World War II. • Named for a Florida River: The ship was named after the Caloosahatchee River in southwestern Florida, continuing the Navy tradition of naming oilers for rivers with Native American names. • Korean War Service: The Caloosahatchee played a vital support role for U.S. and UN naval forces during the Korean War, ensuring combat ships had the fuel they needed. • Cold War Operations: During the Cold War, the vessel was a key element of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, supporting carrier task forces and NATO allies during numerous exercises and crises. • First "Jumboization": In 1968, the ship underwent a "jumboization" at Bethlehem Steel in Baltimore, where a new 400-foot midsection was added, dramatically increasing her fuel capacity and extending her service life. • Cuban Missile Crisis: The Caloosahatchee was active during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, providing critical underway replenishment to ships enforcing the naval blockade. • Vietnam War Support: Though primarily assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, the oiler supported deployments connected to the Vietnam War, refueling ships transiting to and from Southeast Asia. • Woman's Role in Crew History: In the late 1970s, as part of Navy policy changes, Caloosahatchee began integrating female crew members, marking a new era in naval personnel policy. • Longest-Serving Oiler: At the time of her decommissioning in 1990, she was one of the longest-serving oilers in the U.S. Navy, with almost 45 years of continuous service. • Artificial Reef: In 2003, the Caloosahatchee was sunk off the coast of Delaware as part of the Del-Jersey-Land reef project, creating a haven for marine life and a site for recreational divers.