USS Merrimack (AO-179)

• USS Merrimack (AO-179) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler – She was one of the last ships built in the Cimarron class, designed to provide underway replenishment of fuel to U.S. Navy ships at sea. • Commissioned in 1981 – Merrimack entered service on November 7, 1981, at Avondale Shipyards in Louisiana. • Sixth Navy ship named Merrimack – She carried a name with a long lineage, honoring the Merrimack River in New England and the famous Civil War ironclad battle. • Vital role in Operation Desert Storm – Merrimack provided critical fuel and supply support to U.S. and Coalition warships during the 1991 Gulf War. • Homeport in Norfolk, Virginia – Throughout her career, she operated primarily from the U.S. East Coast, supporting Atlantic Fleet operations. • Decommissioned in 1998 – After 17 years of service, she was decommissioned on December 18, 1998, as part of post-Cold War reductions. • Served in multiple NATO exercises – Merrimack participated in joint exercises with NATO allies, demonstrating the logistical reach of the U.S. Navy. • Collision incident (1989) – In January 1989, Merrimack was involved in a minor collision with the destroyer USS Hayler (DD-997) during refueling operations, highlighting the challenges of underway replenishment. • Environmental upgrades – During her service, Merrimack received upgrades such as double-hull modifications to meet evolving environmental protection standards. • Final fate – scrapped – After being struck from the Naval Vessel Register, she was sold for scrapping in 2013, ending her three-decade connection to the fleet.