About this Unit
USS Monongahela (AO-178) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1981. Designed to provide underway replenishment of fuel and supplies to naval vessels, she played a crucial logistical role during the Cold War and post-Cold War periods. Monongahela supported numerous operations, including deployments in the Mediterranean Sea and participation in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. After over a decade of service, she was decommissioned in 1999 and subsequently transferred to the Military Sealift Command as USNS Monongahela (T-AO-178) before being retired from service.
Historical Facts
•
Oiler of the Fleet: USS Monongahela (AO-178) was a Cimarron-class fleet replenishment oiler, serving as a vital logistics ship for the U.S. Navy by refueling warships at sea.
•
Commissioned in 1981: The ship was commissioned on 4 January 1981, making her one of the later ships in her class and benefiting from technological advancements of the era.
•
Named After a River: Like its predecessors, AO-178 was named after the Monongahela River in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, following the Navy tradition of naming oilers after rivers.
•
Service in the Gulf War: Monongahela played a crucial role in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm (1990-1991), providing fuel to combat ships in the Persian Gulf.
•
Collision Incident: In 1991, Monongahela collided with the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt during an underway replenishment, causing minor damage but highlighting the perils of underway operations.
•
First Female XO: In 1994, Monongahela made history when Commander Darlene M. Iskra served as Executive Officer, one of the first women to hold such a high position on a Navy ship.
•
Decommissioned in 1999: The ship was decommissioned on 30 September 1999, ending nearly two decades of service to the fleet.
•
Fast Replenishment Capabilities: Designed for rapid underway replenishment, Monongahela could transfer thousands of barrels of fuel per hour to other ships, essential for sustained naval operations.
•
Participated in NATO Exercises: Throughout her career, Monongahela took part in several NATO exercises in the Atlantic, supporting allied fleets and improving interoperability.
•
Final Fate: After decommissioning, the ship was transferred to the Maritime Administration's reserve fleet and eventually scrapped, closing the chapter on her service.
