USS MCKEE

• Namesake: USS McKee (AS-41) was named after Rear Admiral Hugh W. McKee, a U.S. Navy officer who served heroically during the Korean Expedition of 1871. • Ship Class: USS McKee was a Emory S. Land-class submarine tender, designed to support and maintain nuclear-powered submarines. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 16 August 1981 at Naval Station San Diego, California, with Captain Robert S. Cole as her first commanding officer. • Advanced Capabilities: USS McKee was equipped with advanced repair shops, electronics repair facilities, weapons storage, and medical services, making her a "floating base" for submarines. • First Female Crew: In 1993, USS McKee became one of the first U.S. Navy ships to have women assigned as part of the crew, marking an important step in Navy integration. • Cold War Service: Throughout the 1980s, McKee played a vital support role for Pacific Fleet submarines during the Cold War, providing critical maintenance and logistics. • Notable Deployments: She participated in several major exercises, including RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific Exercise), supporting multinational naval operations. • Desert Storm Support: During Operation Desert Storm, McKee provided essential support to submarines deployed in the Pacific, ensuring their readiness for potential combat operations. • Decommissioning: USS McKee was decommissioned on 1 October 1999 after 18 years of distinguished service and was later struck from the Naval Vessel Register. • Legacy: USS McKee's motto was "Prepared to Serve," reflecting her critical support role. Her service helped set the standard for submarine tenders in the modern U.S. Navy.