Uss Wabash, A div

• USS Wabash (AOR-5) Overview: USS Wabash was a Wichita-class replenishment oiler (AOR), commissioned in 1971 and serving until 1994, providing vital logistics support to the US Navy fleet. • Namesake and Heritage: The ship was named after the Wabash River, continuing a proud tradition of US Navy vessels named for American rivers. • A Division (A Div): Onboard, "A Division" typically referred to the Auxiliary Division, responsible for key machinery such as air conditioning, refrigeration, hydraulic systems, and cargo handling gear. • Vietnam War Service: USS Wabash earned campaign stars for its service in the Vietnam War, providing underway replenishment to combat ships in the Gulf of Tonkin. • Operation Desert Storm: The ship played a logistics role during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, supplying fuel and stores to coalition warships in the Persian Gulf. • Refueling at Sea: USS Wabash was known for its ability to refuel multiple ships simultaneously, a complicated and hazardous operation requiring precision seamanship and coordination from crews—including those in A Div. • First Female Sailors: In the early 1990s, Wabash was among the first ships to integrate female sailors into its crew, marking a milestone in Navy history. • Humanitarian Missions: In addition to military operations, USS Wabash participated in disaster relief and humanitarian missions, delivering supplies to areas affected by crisis. • Nicknamed "The Big Wabash": Crew affectionately nicknamed the ship “The Big Wabash,” fostering strong camaraderie and esprit de corps within divisions like A Div. • Decommissioning and Fate: After decommissioning in 1994, USS Wabash was laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet and eventually scrapped, but her legacy continues through her veterans and their stories.