USS Wichita (AOR-1) Replenishment Oiler (1969)
Though currently mothballed, the USS Wichita operated in the Vietnam War and earned her crews four battle stars for her service.
After traversing from her construction grounds and through the Panama Canal, the USS Wichita made berth at her home port in Long Beach, California, USA. She was later put into action in support of ships in the Vietnam War, to which she earned her crew several awards including battle stars (4) and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the latter for replenishing some 23 ships in a single day. She made no less than three deployments to the region during the conflict and also served as crew readiness trainer and ambassador to various ports in Canada and South America. She primarily served with the 7th Fleet in the Pacific during her time on the seas.
Her armament consisted of twin Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems for anti-missile/anti-aircraft defense. This was further supplemented by the addition of a single Sea Sparrow Mk 29 surface-to-air missile launchers. The USS Wichita could also support up to 2 CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters for various roles when called upon.
The USS Wichita was first ordered in 1965 and laid down the following year. She was launched in 1968 and officially commission a year later. She was officially decommissioned in 1993 and her name struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1995. The vessel is currently in mothball status at Suisun Bay, California. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
USS Wichita (AOR-1)
Replenishment Oiler
Country of Origin: United States
Initial Year of Service: 1969
Operators: the United States of America
Crew: 420
Length: 659ft (200.86m)
Beam: 96ft (29.26m)
Draught: 35ft (10.67m)
Displacement: 40,100tons
Machinery: 3 x boilers feeding steam turbines and 2 x shafts at 32,000shp.
Surface Speed: 20kts (23mph)
Range: 0miles (0km)
Armament:
2 x Phalanx CIWS
1 x Sea Sparrow Mk 29 surface-to-air missile launcher
Air Arm: 2 x CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
Ship Class: Wichita-class
Number-in-Class: 7
Ships-in-Class: USS Wichita (AOR 1); USS Milwaukee (AOR 2); USS Kansas City (AOR 3); USS Savannah (AOR 4); USS Wabash (AOR 5); USS Kalamazoo (AOR 6); USS Roanoke (AOR 7)
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