About this Unit
USS Sacramento (AOE-1) was the lead ship of her class of fast combat support ships in the United States Navy, commissioned on March 14, 1964. Designed to combine the functions of an oiler, ammunition ship, and refrigerated stores ship, she played a crucial role in underway replenishment, enabling carrier strike groups to operate at sea for extended periods. Sacramento served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and supported numerous peacetime and combat operations throughout her career. After nearly four decades of service, she was decommissioned on October 1, 2004, marking the end of her distinguished tenure in the fleet.
Historical Facts
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First of Her Class: USS Sacramento (AOE-1) was the lead ship of the Sacramento-class fast combat support ships, combining the functions of an oiler (AO), ammunition ship (AE), and stores ship (AFS) into a single hull.
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Unique Propulsion: The ship was powered by engines originally intended for the unfinished battleship USS Kentucky (BB-66), making her one of the fastest support ships in the Navy at over 27 knots.
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Commissioned in 1964: USS Sacramento was commissioned on March 14, 1964, at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and served for nearly 40 years.
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Vietnam War Service: Sacramento supported U.S. Navy operations during the Vietnam War, providing critical underway replenishment to combat ships in the Gulf of Tonkin.
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Nickname “The Mighty Sac”: She earned the affectionate nickname “The Mighty Sac” among her crew and supported units because of her size and capabilities.
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Flagship Capabilities: The ship was equipped with advanced communication and command facilities, allowing her to serve as a flagship for logistics operations.
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Gulf War Operations: USS Sacramento played a vital role in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, supplying the U.S. fleet in the Persian Gulf in 1990–1991.
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Impressive Capacity: She could simultaneously refuel, rearm, and resupply multiple ships at sea, greatly increasing the operational range and endurance of carrier battle groups.
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Decommissioned in 2004: After a long and distinguished career, Sacramento was decommissioned on October 14, 2004, at Bremerton, Washington.
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Final Fate: The hull of USS Sacramento was eventually used as a target during a SINKEX (Sink Exercise) and was sunk off the coast of Hawaii in July 2010.
