USS Salinan (ATF-161)

• Commissioning: USS Salinan (ATF-161) was commissioned on 9 September 1945, just after the end of World War II, and served as a fleet ocean tug in the United States Navy. • Namesake: The ship was named after the Salinan people, a Native American group from California, in keeping with the tradition of naming fleet tugs after Native American tribes. • Class and Capabilities: Salinan belonged to the Abnaki-class of fleet ocean tugs, known for their durability, towing capacity, and versatility in rescue and salvage operations. • Post-WWII Service: Although commissioned too late for World War II combat, Salinan played a pivotal role in the postwar period, supporting fleet operations and towing assignments across the Atlantic and Caribbean. • Hurricane Relief: In September 1955, Salinan assisted in relief operations following Hurricane Diane, towing disabled ships and helping to clear debris in affected ports along the U.S. East Coast. • Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, Salinan was mobilized to provide emergency towing and salvage support to the U.S. naval blockade around Cuba. • Space Program Support: Salinan assisted NASA operations by participating in recovery missions for spacecraft, providing support during critical early space missions. • Varied Missions: The vessel performed a wide variety of missions, from rescuing distressed ships to towing targets for naval exercises and recovering lost equipment at sea. • Decommissioning: USS Salinan was decommissioned on 1 July 1978 after more than three decades of service, and was eventually sold for scrapping in 1993. • Legacy: Salinan earned the Navy Occupation Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal, and her long service is remembered as a testament to the vital but often unsung role of fleet tugs in naval operations.