About this Unit
USS Cape Cod (AD-43) was a Yellowstone-class destroyer tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1982. Designed to provide maintenance, repair, and logistical support to destroyers and other surface combatants, she played a vital role in keeping the fleet operational. Throughout her service, Cape Cod was deployed to various locations, including support missions in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. She was decommissioned in 1995 after more than a decade of service, reflecting changing strategic needs following the end of the Cold War.
Historical Facts
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USS Cape Cod (AD-43) Background: The USS Cape Cod was a Yellowstone-class destroyer tender of the United States Navy, commissioned on 17 April 1982.
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Primary Mission: Its main role was to provide maintenance, repair, logistics, and support services to a fleet of destroyers and other surface ships, ensuring operational readiness at sea.
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Homeport: The ship was homeported at Naval Station San Diego, California, during most of its service.
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Namesake: USS Cape Cod was named after Cape Cod, Massachusetts, a region with significant maritime history.
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Participation in Operations: The vessel supported US Navy operations during the Cold War and was active during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (1990–1991), providing crucial repair and logistics support to deployed fleets in the Persian Gulf.
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Crew Complement: The ship typically carried a complement of over 1,000 officers and enlisted personnel, including skilled technicians and specialists.
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Onboard Facilities: USS Cape Cod was equipped with extensive machine shops, foundries, electronics repair shops, and medical and dental facilities—essentially a floating shipyard and hospital.
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Decommissioning: The ship was decommissioned relatively early, on 29 September 1995, after just 13 years of service, due to post-Cold War fleet reductions.
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Final Fate: After decommissioning, USS Cape Cod was placed in reserve and later sold for scrapping in 2012.
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Legacy: Though her time in service was brief, the USS Cape Cod provided vital support to the US Navy’s surface fleet and is remembered by her crew for her vital contributions and as a symbol of the logistical backbone of naval operations.
