About this Unit
USS Shasta (AE-33) was a Kilauea-class ammunition ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1972. Designed to carry and deliver ammunition and explosives to fleet units at sea, Shasta played a vital logistical role in supporting naval operations during the later years of the Cold War. The ship participated in numerous deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean and Indian Oceans, ensuring fleet readiness and sustained combat capability. After over two decades of service, USS Shasta was decommissioned in 1997 and later transferred to the Military Sealift Command, continuing her mission as USNS Shasta (T-AE-33).
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Shasta (AE-33) is the second U.S. Navy ship named after Mount Shasta, a prominent volcano in northern California.
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Type and Class: Shasta was a Kilauea-class ammunition ship, designed to carry and transfer ammunition, explosives, and related supplies to warships at sea.
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Commissioning: She was commissioned on 22 February 1972, at the Charleston Naval Shipyard in South Carolina.
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Vietnam War Service: Although commissioned near the end of the Vietnam War, Shasta saw service supporting U.S. operations in Southeast Asia, providing critical at-sea replenishment.
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Cold War Role: Throughout the Cold War, the Shasta operated primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, supporting U.S. Navy carrier battle groups and task forces.
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Operation Desert Storm: Shasta played a vital support role during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, supplying ammunition to U.S. and coalition ships in the Persian Gulf.
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UNREP Missions: The ship specialized in underway replenishments (UNREP), which involved the complex and often dangerous transfer of munitions to moving ships at sea, sometimes under adverse weather or threat conditions.
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Decommissioning and Transfer: USS Shasta was decommissioned on 1 October 1997 and transferred to the Military Sealift Command, where she was redesignated as USNS Shasta (T-AE-33) and operated by a civilian crew.
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Final Disposition: After decades of service, Shasta was eventually stricken from the Naval Vessel Register and sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2016.
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Crew and Legacy: The ship was known for its strong esprit de corps and professionalism, with many veterans recalling the camaraderie and unique challenges of serving aboard an ammunition ship. Shasta’s service is commemorated by various veterans’ groups and reunions.
