USS White Sands (ARD-20)

• Floating Dry Dock: USS White Sands (ARD-20) was not a ship, but an Auxiliary Repair Dock, a mobile floating dry dock designed to service and repair other vessels while afloat. • World War II Service: Commissioned in 1944, she played a significant role in the Pacific Theater, providing essential maintenance and repairs to warships damaged in combat. • Atomic Bomb Tests: In 1946, White Sands participated in Operation Crossroads at Bikini Atoll, supporting preparations and post-detonation recovery during these historic atomic bomb tests. • Arctic Support: In 1955, she was towed to Thule, Greenland, to assist in constructing ice piers and supporting the early Cold War defense infrastructure in the Arctic. • Space Age Involvement: White Sands was instrumental in the recovery of NASA’s Saturn V rocket first stage after Apollo 4’s test flight in 1967, serving as a platform for the retrieval operation. • Submarine Recovery: In 1966, she played a key role in the recovery of a sunken U.S. Air Force Minuteman missile test nose cone off Grand Turk Island, demonstrating versatility beyond ship repair. • Unique Naming: The dock was named after the White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico, reflecting its association with testing and experimentation. • Multiple Homeports: Through her career, White Sands operated from a variety of locations, including San Pedro, Pearl Harbor, Guam, and the East Coast, showcasing her mobility. • Vietnam War Support: During the Vietnam War, White Sands provided repair services for naval vessels engaged in Southeast Asia operations. • Final Fate: Decommissioned in 1989, the White Sands was eventually sold for scrap, ending over four decades of unique and diverse service to the U.S. Navy and other government agencies.