About this Unit
USS Pine Island (AV-12) was a Currituck-class seaplane tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. She played a vital support role during the final stages of World War II, servicing seaplanes involved in reconnaissance and search-and-rescue missions in the Pacific Theater. After the war, Pine Island participated in Operation Highjump, the U.S. Navy's Antarctic expedition in 1946–1947, providing crucial logistical support. The ship continued to serve throughout the Korean and Vietnam Wars before being decommissioned in 1967.
Historical Facts
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Seaplane Tender Role: USS Pine Island (AV-12) was a Currituck-class seaplane tender, commissioned in 1945, designed to provide maintenance, support, and supplies to seaplanes operating far from established bases.
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World War II Service: Pine Island joined the Pacific Fleet in the final months of World War II, operating with seaplanes in the Philippines, Okinawa, and surrounding waters, supporting reconnaissance and patrol missions.
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Operation Crossroads: In 1946, Pine Island participated in the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, supporting aerial reconnaissance and search-and-rescue operations during these historic nuclear detonations.
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Antarctic Exploration: Pine Island played a major role in Operation Highjump (1946-1947), a massive U.S. Navy expedition to Antarctica, serving as a floating base for seaplanes mapping uncharted territories and conducting scientific research.
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Namesake Legacy: The Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica was named after the USS Pine Island due to the ship’s significant involvement in Operation Highjump.
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Korean War Operations: The ship was recommissioned for the Korean War, supporting seaplane patrols, rescue missions, and reconnaissance in the Sea of Japan and off the Korean Peninsula.
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Cold War Deployments: Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Pine Island operated extensively in the Western Pacific, visiting Japan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and serving as a mobile base for anti-submarine and surveillance seaplanes.
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Humanitarian Missions: The ship provided disaster relief after Typhoon Karen devastated Guam in 1962, supplying food, water, and medical assistance to affected civilians.
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Unique Aircraft Aboard: USS Pine Island supported Martin PBM Mariner and later P5M Marlin flying boats, which were essential for long-range patrol, search and rescue, and reconnaissance missions.
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Decommissioning and Legacy: USS Pine Island was decommissioned in 1967 and struck from the Navy list in 1971, but her service in war, exploration, and humanitarian missions left a lasting legacy in naval aviation history.
