About this Unit
USS Mars (AFS-1) was the lead ship of her class of combat stores ships in the United States Navy, commissioned on 21 December 1963. Designed to provide underway replenishment of provisions, ammunition, and stores to ships at sea, Mars played a crucial support role during the Vietnam War and later in the Western Pacific. Throughout her service, she participated in numerous operations, earning several campaign and service medals. USS Mars was decommissioned on 1 February 1993, concluding nearly three decades of distinguished service to the fleet.
Historical Facts
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First of Her Class: USS Mars (AFS-1) was the lead ship of the Mars-class combat stores ships, designed to provide underway replenishment of provisions, ammunition, and stores to U.S. Navy ships at sea.
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Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 21 December 1963, at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia.
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Vietnam War Service: USS Mars played a crucial logistical role during the Vietnam War, supplying aircraft carriers and other warships operating off the coast of Vietnam.
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Aviation Capability: Mars was the first stores ship designed and built from the keel up with a helicopter platform, capable of vertical replenishment (VERTREP) operations, greatly increasing efficiency.
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Nickname: Crewmembers affectionately referred to the ship as "the grocery store to the fleet" due to her vital supply role.
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Special Distinctions: In 1974, Mars became the first ship in her class to operate with a mixed-gender crew when female officers and enlisted sailors reported aboard.
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Global Operations: Over her career, Mars completed multiple deployments in the Pacific, supporting operations from the Gulf of Tonkin to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf.
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Operation Desert Storm: USS Mars participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, supporting coalition naval forces with vital supplies during combat operations.
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Decommissioning: After nearly 30 years of service, Mars was decommissioned on 1 February 1993 and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
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Final Fate: The ship was sunk as a target during a fleet training exercise off the coast of Hawaii in 2006, continuing to serve as a training aid for the U.S. Navy even after her active service ended.
