About this Unit
USS Mount Hood (AE-29) was a Kilauea-class ammunition ship commissioned by the United States Navy on May 1, 1971. Named after the volcanic peak in Oregon, she served primarily in the Pacific Fleet, providing underway replenishment of ordnance to naval vessels at sea. Throughout her service, Mount Hood supported operations during the Vietnam War and later participated in numerous fleet exercises and deployments, including operations in the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific. After over two decades of service, she was decommissioned on August 10, 1999, and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
Historical Facts
• Namesake Legacy: USS Mount Hood (AE-29) was named after Mount Hood, the highest peak in Oregon, following a tradition of ammunition ships being named after volcanoes.
• Second of Her Name: AE-29 was the second U.S. Navy ship to bear the name Mount Hood. The first, AE-11, tragically exploded in 1944 during World War II in Seeadler Harbor, causing massive loss of life and damage.
• Class and Construction: She was the fourth ship of the Kilauea-class ammunition ships, constructed by Bethlehem Steel Corporation in Sparrows Point, Maryland, and commissioned on May 1, 1971.
• Vital Logistics Role: Mount Hood’s mission was to deliver ammunition and explosives to ships at sea and at shore, supporting sustained U.S. naval operations around the world.
• Vietnam and Beyond: Mount Hood was deployed to the Western Pacific and supported combat operations during the Vietnam War, replenishing ships on Yankee Station and elsewhere.
• Innovative Replenishment: The ship regularly performed “underway replenishment,” transferring ammunition to other vessels while both ships were moving, a complex and hazardous operation.
• Women at Sea: In the late 1970s, Mount Hood was among the first Navy combatant ships to embark female sailors as part of the Navy’s gender integration efforts.
• Cold War Service: During the 1980s, she supported carrier battle groups during exercises and real-world operations, including in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf, showcasing U.S. presence during tense periods.
• Humanitarian Missions: Besides military operations, Mount Hood provided logistical support for humanitarian and rescue missions, exemplifying the Navy’s global reach and flexibility.
• Decommissioning and Fate: USS Mount Hood was decommissioned on August 10, 1999, struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 2001, and eventually scrapped, closing nearly three decades of distinguished service.
