About this Unit
USS Kalamazoo (AOR-6) was a Wichita-class replenishment oiler commissioned by the United States Navy in 1973. Designed to support carrier battle groups, she provided vital underway replenishment of fuel, ammunition, and supplies during the Cold War era. Throughout her service, Kalamazoo operated primarily in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, participating in numerous NATO exercises and U.S. fleet operations. After over two decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1996 and later scrapped, having played a crucial logistical role in sustaining naval operations.
Historical Facts
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Commissioned in 1973: USS Kalamazoo (AOR-6) was commissioned on 11 August 1973, serving as a replenishment oiler in the United States Navy’s Wichita-class.
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Named After a River: The ship was named after the Kalamazoo River in Michigan, following the tradition of naming oilers after rivers.
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Vietnam War Service: Although commissioned after the main combat phase of the Vietnam War, Kalamazoo supported post-war operations in the Western Pacific.
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Cold War Operations: Throughout the Cold War, Kalamazoo played a vital role in fueling and supplying US Navy task forces, particularly in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
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Persian Gulf Deployments: In the 1980s and early 1990s, Kalamazoo participated in multiple deployments to the Persian Gulf, supporting operations during increasing regional tensions.
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Support During Lebanon Crisis: The ship was involved in supporting the US fleet during the Lebanon crisis of the early 1980s, providing crucial underway replenishment.
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Significant Fueling Capacity: Kalamazoo could carry approximately 160,000 barrels of fuel and had the capability to replenish multiple ships at the same time while underway.
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Decommissioned in 1996: After over two decades of service, the USS Kalamazoo was decommissioned on 16 August 1996 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1997.
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Reserve Fleet and Scrapping: After decommissioning, the ship was laid up in the James River Reserve Fleet and was eventually scrapped in Brownsville, Texas in 2008.
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Crew Camaraderie and Traditions: Former crew members recall the ship’s tight-knit community and the unique challenges of serving on a replenishment oiler, including the high-tempo operations and pride in keeping the fleet at sea.
