USS Detroit (AOE-4)

The fifth USS "Detroit" (AOE-4) was the fourth and last Sclass|Sacramento|fast combat support ship built for the United States Navy. She was laid down 29 November 1966 by Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington; launched 21 June 1969; and commissioned 28 March 1970. She is named after Detroit, Michigan, the largest city in the state of Michigan.

"Detroit" served for 35 years operating primarily with the U.S. 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf regions.

History

After her initial shakedown cruise, "Detroit" departed Bremerton for her first operational home port, Newport, Rhode Island, rounding the horn of South America en route. In March 1971, she was involved in a minor collision with a USN oiler off the coast of South Carolina. Shortly thereafter, "Detroit" deployed for six months of extended operations with the 6th Fleet, returning to Newport in December 1971. On 12 December 1973, while the ship was undergoing repairs and upkeep in Newport, "Detroit" suffered an explosion in her after engine room exhaust stack which caused extensive material damage.

"Detroit" made her second deployment with 6th Fleet to the Mediterranean on 1 December 1972, returning to Newport in July of the following year. A shore establishment realignment led to "Detroit's" home port shift to Norfolk, Virginia in January 1974.

"Detroit" sailed from Norfolk 14 July 1974, en route to her third Mediterranean deployment in support of 6th Fleet operations. In addition to her normal taskings, she participated in contingency operations related to the Cyprus crisis, completing this task in December 1974 before returning to Norfolk. During this cruise, upon being sent to wake up the relief shift, a seaman Fagin disappeared mysteriously while "Detroit" sailed off the Italian coast. The shift was never awoken. Despite an intensive 8 hour search using both shipboard helicopters, seaman Fagin was never found. "Detroit" sailed for her fourth Mediterranean deployment on 19 August 1975 and completed over 200 replenishments before returning to Norfolk on 28 January 1976.

On 13 July 1976, "Detroit" sailed north to commence her first shipyard overhaul at Bath Iron Works in Maine. The NATO Sea Sparrow missile system and new communications capabilities were added prior to her return to Norfolk in July 1977. "Detroit's" fifth Mediterranean deployment was completed on 26 October 1978. She conducted 232 replenishments on this deployment. After another five-month Mediterranean deployment in 1979, "Detroit" returned to Norfolk for a short six-month turn-around in preparation for her seventh Mediterranean deployment, commencing on 14 July 1980. A Suez Canal transit followed National Week exercises, and the new routine became the support of U.S. 7th Fleet’s Indian Ocean Battle Group operating in the vicinity of the Persian Gulf. Returning through the Suez, "Detroit" proceeded to service 6th Fleet units prior to visiting Lisbon, Portugal, in late November. "Detroit" returned to Norfolk on 11 December 1980.

On 10 June, 1981 "Detroit" ran aground on a sandbar in Hampton Roads while the ship was entering port. She was refloated four days later after fuel and weapons are removed. The Commanding officer was relieved of command from this incident. No apparent damage or injuries were caused by this incident. "Detroit" departed Norfolk on 25 June 1981 for her eighth Mediterranean deployment. She serviced 6th Fleet and NATO units and participated in the missile exercises in the Gulf of Sidra, when two Libyan aircraft were shot down by F-14 Tomcats from USS Nimitz (CVN-68). "Detroit" returned to Norfolk on 8 November 1981.

In January 1982, "Detroit" began her second shipyard overhaul at Norfolk Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company’s Berkeley Yard in Chesapeake, Virginia. The focus of this overhaul was in the engineering plant and the crew’s living quarters. Her defensive capability was also upgraded by the addition of two 20 mm Phalanx CIWS Mark 15 guns. "Detroit" left the yard in January 1983.

On 20 October 1983, "Detroit" departed for deployment with the 6th Fleet. While in the Mediterranean, "Detroit" was the principal combat logistics force ship supporting U.S. and Allied units of the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force, in Beirut, Lebanon. Throughout the height of the crisis, "Detroit" provided logistical support to two carrier battle groups, the USS|New Jersey|BB-62|2 battle group and the deployed Marine Amphibious Ready Group. On 9 January, 1984 "Detroit" suffered a fuel fire in her forced draft blower while moored at Souda Bay, Crete. Some crew members were treated for smoke inhalation. When she returned to Norfolk on 2 May 1984, "Detroit" had completed 301 replenishments, a new ship’s record.

In February 1985, "Detroit" completed an extensive three-month repair availability. From July through October 1985, she participated in fleet exercises in the Caribbean Sea, as well as in Ocean Safari 85 operating above the Arctic Circle in Norway’s Vestfjord. During these operations, "Detroit" encountered a severe storm consisting of extreme cold and heavy seas. As a result "Detroit" suffered the loss of a large section of main deck railing, several deck fixtures and the ship’s solid brass bell. "Detroit" put in for repairs in Dunoon, Scotland before continuing operations. In August 1985, "Detroit" successfully completed the first Operational Propulsion Plant Examination given to an AOE by the Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT) Propulsion Examination Board.

In March 1986, "Detroit" departed Norfolk for her tenth deployment with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean. She supported three carrier operations off the coast of Libya in March and April 1986. In September 1986, she returned to Norfolk. The summer of 1988 found "Detroit" back in the European theater, participating in Exercise Teamwork 88 replenishing U.S. and NATO allies in the Norwegian fjords.

After officially changing homeports in October 1989, "Detroit" was underway in support of law enforcement operations in the Caribbean Sea.

In May 1990, "Detroit" arrived at Naval Weapons Station Earle, Leonardo, New Jersey where she was homeported until decommissioning in 2005.

In August 1990, "Detroit" deployed to the Mediterranean for the 11th time since commissioning, but was diverted to the Red Sea in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. She remained on station in the Red Sea through the remainder of the year.

On 17 January, 1991, Operation Desert Storm commenced with "Detroit" as one of two fast combat support ships on station. "Detroit's" crew worked non-stop for the remaining three months of what ultimately became a nine-month deployment. "Detroit" commenced a six-month dry docked phased maintenance availability in May 1991 at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

In May 1992, "Detroit" returned to 6th Fleet in support of MED 2-92. This deployment proved to be remarkably successful for "Detroit" and her crew. "Detroit" participated in the insertion and retrieval of United States Army and Navy Special Forces during the Exercise Ellipse Bravo, and rescue efforts to the TCG "Mauvenet", a Turkish warship, after it was struck by a missile.

"Detroit" returned to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a dry docked phased maintenance availability in July 1993. Shipyard repairs were completed in January 1994 and the ship immediately commenced work-ups for her next deployment.

On 20 October, 1994, "Detroit" was underway for her 13th Mediterranean deployment. Prior to arriving in the Mediterranean, the ship was tasked to take station in the Arabian Sea in support of U.S. Naval Forces. "Detroit" returned to the 6th Fleet in December 1994. She remained in the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, providing logistics support for the remainder of the deployment.

On 22 November, 1996, "Detroit" deployed with the USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|2 battle group for her 14th Mediterranean deployment. "Detroit" performed operations in the Adriatic Sea, as well as transiting the Suez Canal, joining the U.S. 5th Fleet in support of Operation Southern Watch. Additionally, she participated in exercise Inspired Siren 2-97 and a variety of other multi-national exercises. "Detroit" returned to Earle, New Jersey on 22 May 1997. She was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation during this deployment.

From July through November 1997, "Detroit" underwent a four month phased maintenance availability, which extended the life of her propulsion plant at least another ten years. "Detroit" earned the Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet 1997 Battle Efficiency Award and the 1997 Chief of Naval Operations Ship-Helo Safety Award.

Upon completion of the basic phase of training in preparation for her next deployment in support of the USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|2 battle group "Detroit" then known as the "Dirty D" deployed for her 15th Mediterranean/Persian Gulf Deployment in November 1998. Responding to a national crisis, she sped her way from Earle, New Jersey to the Persian Gulf to complete the fastest transit in combat logistics force history. "Detroit" was key in Operation Desert Fox by providing ammunition, combat stores, fresh fruits and vegetables, and fuel to battle group units participating in the operation. On Thanksgiving Day, "Detroit" had the pleasure of hosting the Chief of Naval Operations for a brief visit while import Jebel Ali. During the deployment, "Detroit" was notified that she was awarded four individual "E’s" for excellence during 1998 in supply and logistics, mission area excellence, engineering and damage control, and operations and communications - a clean sweep in all mission areas. In May 1999, "Detroit" returned to her homeport.

On 8 November, 1999, "Detroit" began a four month docking phased availability at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

On 27 August, 2000, "Detroit" was involved in a collision USS Nicholson (DD-982) approximately 100 miles off the Virginia Capes. Damage to both ships was minor.

"Detroit" deployed with the "Enterprise" battle group to the Persian Gulf 2 October 2003 and returned to her homeport 1 March 2004.

"Detroit" was decommissioned in 17 February 2005 and is berthed at the inactive ships maintenance facility at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

"Detroit" was brought to Port of Brownsville, Texas for final disposal in October 2005. The remains of the ship were sent to a scrap heap in Mexico.

hip's crest

"Detroit's" emblem is adapted from an original sketch by Quartermaster First Class Rex M. Reed, U.S. Navy, of the ship's pre-commissioning crew. It is comprised of seven major elements. (1) A profile of the first "Detroit"; (2) a flaming mine to symbolize ordnance; (3) a wheat-filled cornucopia to symbolize provisions; (4) a fuel valve to symbolize petroleum products; (5) electron paths to symbolize the nuclear era; (6) five stars to represent the five ships named "Detroit" named in honor of the City of Detroit, Michigan; and (7) the ship's motto, Superare Optimum; "To Surpass the Finest." The first "Detroit" was a 19-gun sloop captured from the British in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The black hull and white sails of the first "Detroit" are set against a background of light blue sky and deep blue sea. The symbols for ordnance, provisions, and petroleum products are set along the electron paths which symbolize the modern nuclear age. These symbols reflect the mission of the fast combat support ship: to support naval forces at sea in the theater of operations.

Awards

"Detroit" was awarded the following awards during her career:
*7 × Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals
*2 × Navy Expeditionary Medals
*2 × Armed Forces Service Medals
*2 × Meritorious Unit Commendations
*3 × Navy "E" Ribbons
*3 × Navy Unit Commendations
*3 × Southwest Asia Service Medals
*1 × Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation
*1 × NATO Medal
*1 × Kosovo Liberation Medal
*1 × Chief of Naval Operations Ship-Helo Safety Award

External links

* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/AOE4.htm Naval Vessel Register entry for "Detroit"]
* [http://www.combatindex.com/hardware/detail/sea/aoe04_detail.html combatindex.com: USS "Detroit"]
* [http://www.united-states-navy.com/ships/aoe4.htm united-states-navy.com: USS "Detroit"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/5904.htm navsource.org: USS "Detroit"]