U.S. Navy

USNAVCOMMSTAUK Thurso, Scotland, formally known as the United States Naval Communication Station United Kingdom (USNAVCOMMSTAUK) Thurso, was established in the late 1950s as part of the broader US-UK defense cooperation during the Cold War. Located near the northern coast of Scotland, the station played a crucial role in supporting US and NATO naval communications, particularly for submarines operating in the North Atlantic. The facility provided secure, long-range communications vital for coordinating maritime operations and maintaining strategic deterrence. USNAVCOMMSTAUK Thurso remained operational until the early 1990s, when advances in technology and changes in global security dynamics led to its closure.

The USNR Rochester N.Y. refers to the United States Naval Reserve units based in Rochester, New York. Established during the 20th century, these reserve units have provided vital support to the U.S. Navy by training local reservists and preparing them for mobilization during times of national emergency or conflict. Over the decades, Rochester-based Naval Reservists have served with distinction in major conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, and subsequent operations. The unit continues to play a key role in maintaining naval readiness and community engagement in the Rochester region.

USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198) is a Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler operated by the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command. Launched on 7 July 1992 and delivered in 1992, Big Horn has played a vital role in supporting fleet operations by delivering fuel and supplies to U.S. Navy ships at sea. The vessel has participated in numerous exercises and operations, including deployments to the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern waters. Throughout its service, USNS Big Horn has contributed significantly to maintaining the Navy’s operational readiness and global reach by ensuring sustained maritime logistics support.

USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168) is a Powhatan-class fleet ocean tug operated by the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command. Laid down in 1978 and commissioned in 1980, Catawba provided vital towing, rescue, and salvage services to the Navy’s Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. Over its decades of service, the vessel supported numerous operations, including towing disabled ships, conducting recovery missions, and participating in joint exercises with allied navies. In 2012, USNS Catawba was deactivated and later transferred to the Chilean Navy, continuing its service under a new flag.

USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) is a United States Navy hospital ship commissioned in 1987. Operated by the Military Sealift Command, the Comfort provides rapid, flexible, and mobile acute medical and surgical services to support U.S. military forces and humanitarian missions worldwide. The ship has participated in numerous operations, including support during the Gulf War, Hurricane Katrina relief, Operation Unified Response in Haiti, and medical aid during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. USNS Comfort continues to serve as a vital asset for both military readiness and global humanitarian assistance.

USNS Dutton (T-AGS-22) was a U.S. Navy oceanographic survey ship that played a vital role during the Cold War. Originally built as the SS Tuskegee Victory, a Victory-class cargo ship, she was converted and commissioned into naval service in 1958. Operated by the Military Sea Transportation Service, Dutton conducted geodetic and hydrographic surveys in support of submarine and missile navigation, including significant contributions to the U.S. Navy’s Polaris ballistic missile program. The ship was decommissioned and struck from the Navy list in 1989, marking the end of more than three decades of distinguished service.

USNS Navasota (T-AO-106) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler built for the United States Navy during World War II. Commissioned in 1946, she provided vital underway replenishment services, refueling ships at sea and supporting U.S. naval operations in the Pacific, including the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Navasota played an essential logistical role during combat operations, enabling extended fleet deployments and increased operational reach. Decommissioned and transferred to the Military Sealift Command in 1975 as USNS Navasota (T-AO-106), she continued her service with a civilian crew until her retirement in 1992.

USNS Ponchatoula (T-AO-148) was a Neosho-class fleet oiler launched in 1955 and commissioned into service with the United States Navy in 1956. Named after the city of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, she played a crucial role in providing underway replenishment of fuel and supplies to U.S. Navy ships at sea, supporting operations during the Cold War, Vietnam War, and other deployments. Ponchatoula was transferred to the Military Sealift Command and redesignated as USNS Ponchatoula (T-AO-148) in 1976, continuing to serve with a primarily civilian crew. After decades of service, she was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1992.

USNS Safeguard (T-ARS-50) is the lead ship of the Safeguard-class salvage ships, commissioned into service with the United States Navy in 1985. Designed for salvage, towing, and rescue operations, Safeguard has played a key role in supporting fleet readiness and maritime recovery missions worldwide. Throughout its service, the vessel participated in numerous exercises and real-world operations, including humanitarian assistance and disaster response. In 2007, Safeguard was transferred to the Military Sealift Command, operating with a primarily civilian crew to continue its vital support missions.

USNS Sioux (T-ATF-171) was a Powhatan-class fleet ocean tug operated by the United States Navy. Launched in 1980, Sioux provided crucial towing, salvage, and rescue services for naval vessels worldwide, supporting both peacetime and combat operations. Throughout her career, she participated in numerous missions, including recovery operations and support during fleet exercises and deployments. After over three decades of distinguished service, USNS Sioux was decommissioned in 2021.

USS PC-1208 was a PC-461-class submarine chaser built for the United States Navy during World War II. Commissioned in 1943, she was primarily engaged in escort and patrol duties, protecting convoys from enemy submarines along the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean. After the war, PC-1208 continued to serve in training and auxiliary roles before being decommissioned in 1946. The vessel was later sold to the Dominican Republic, where she served as Independencia (P-105) for several more years.

**USS AEOLUS (ARC-3)** was a cable repair ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1955. Originally built as the cargo ship *SS Turandot* in 1944, she was acquired and converted to support underwater cable-laying and repair operations, primarily for the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) during the Cold War. The ship played a crucial role in maintaining undersea communication lines vital for anti-submarine warfare and strategic intelligence gathering. USS AEOLUS was decommissioned in 1985 and later disposed of as an artificial reef off the coast of North Carolina.

USS Aeolus (ARC-3) was originally launched in 1944 as the USNS Turandot (T-AK-273), a cargo ship serving under the U.S. Navy. In 1955, she was converted to a cable repair ship and commissioned as USS Aeolus, tasked with laying and maintaining underwater communication cables crucial for Cold War naval operations. Operated primarily by the Military Sea Transportation Service, Aeolus played a vital role in Project Caesar, supporting the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) network for submarine detection. The ship served with distinction until her decommissioning in 1973, after which she was eventually sunk as an artificial reef.

USS AJAX AR-6

U.S. Navy

Unit with 192 member associations.

**USS Alamagordo** was the name assigned to two different United States Navy ships during World War II. The first, **USS Alamagordo (AK-148)**, was a cargo ship launched in 1944 and served in the Pacific Theater, transporting supplies and equipment essential for Allied operations. The second, **USS Alamagordo (ARDM-2)**, was a floating drydock that provided vital repair services to naval vessels in forward areas. Both ships contributed significantly to the logistical and maintenance capabilities of the U.S. Navy during the war, ensuring fleet readiness and operational success.

USS **Alaska (SSBN-732)** is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine commissioned into the United States Navy on January 25, 1986. Designed for strategic deterrence, she is capable of carrying Trident ballistic missiles and has played a vital role in the nation’s nuclear triad. Over her decades of service, USS Alaska has completed numerous strategic deterrent patrols, earning multiple awards for operational excellence. Notably, she underwent a conversion to accommodate both male and female crew members and continues to serve as a critical component of U.S. strategic defense.

USS Alex M. Diachenko (APD-123) was a high-speed transport of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1944. Originally laid down as a destroyer escort, she was converted during construction to serve as a fast transport for amphibious operations. During World War II, she participated in the Okinawa campaign, supporting underwater demolition teams and rescuing survivors from damaged ships. After the war, she continued to serve in various roles, including occupation duties in the Far East, before being decommissioned in 1947.

USS **Algol (AKA-54)** was an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship commissioned by the United States Navy in July 1944. Serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II, she played a vital role in several major amphibious operations, most notably participating in the Battle of Okinawa by delivering troops, vehicles, and supplies under enemy fire. After the war, Algol supported occupation efforts in Japan before decommissioning in 1946. Reactivated for the Korean War, she served as a cargo ship before finally being decommissioned in 1956 and later sunk as an artificial reef off the coast of New Jersey.

USS **Altair** (AK-257) was a cargo ship acquired by the United States Navy during the Cold War era. Originally built as the SS Aberdeen Victory in 1944, she was converted and commissioned as USS Altair in 1952. The ship served with the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), providing crucial logistical support by transporting supplies and equipment to U.S. and allied forces, particularly during the Korean War and early Vietnam War periods. After a decade of service, Altair was decommissioned in 1969 and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

Uss America CV66

U.S. Navy

Unit with 89 member associations.

USS Apache (ATF-67) was a Cherokee-class fleet tug commissioned by the United States Navy in 1942. During World War II, she provided towing, salvage, and rescue operations in the Pacific Theater, supporting fleet movements and damaged vessels during major campaigns, including operations at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, Apache continued to serve through the Korean War, again providing crucial support to naval operations. She remained active through the Cold War era, serving in various capacities until her decommissioning in 1974.

USS Arctic (T-AOE-8) was a fast combat support ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1995. Designed to provide rapid replenishment of fuel, ammunition, and supplies to carrier strike groups at sea, she played a crucial logistical role during her service life. Arctic participated in several major naval operations, including deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The ship was decommissioned in 2002 and transferred to the Military Sealift Command, continuing her support mission under a civilian-manned crew until her final inactivation.

USS Atka (AGB-3) was a Wind-class icebreaker commissioned by the United States Navy in 1950. Originally built as USCGC Southwind (WAGB-280) for the United States Coast Guard during World War II, she was transferred to the Navy and renamed Atka. Throughout her service, Atka played a crucial role in Arctic and Antarctic operations, conducting supply missions, scientific support, and icebreaking duties. In 1966, she was returned to the Coast Guard, resuming her original name and continuing polar service before being decommissioned in 1974.

USS Barbour County (LST-1195) was a Newport-class tank landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1972. Designed to transport tanks, heavy vehicles, and troops directly onto shore, she played a vital role in amphibious operations and training exercises throughout her service. Throughout the Cold War and into the 1990s, Barbour County participated in numerous deployments, including operations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. After over two decades of service, the ship was decommissioned in 1992 and later sunk as a target during a training exercise.