USS Sacramento (AOE-1)

• 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. • 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. • Commissioned in 1964: USS Sacramento was commissioned on March 14, 1964, at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and served for nearly 40 years. • 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. • Nickname “The Mighty Sac”: She earned the affectionate nickname “The Mighty Sac” among her crew and supported units because of her size and capabilities. • Flagship Capabilities: The ship was equipped with advanced communication and command facilities, allowing her to serve as a flagship for logistics operations. • 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. • Impressive Capacity: She could simultaneously refuel, rearm, and resupply multiple ships at sea, greatly increasing the operational range and endurance of carrier battle groups. • Decommissioned in 2004: After a long and distinguished career, Sacramento was decommissioned on October 14, 2004, at Bremerton, Washington. • 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.