USS Sacramento (AOE-1)

USS Sacramento (AOE-1) underway in 1988
History
United States
NameUSS Sacramento
NamesakeSacramento, California
Ordered8 August 1960
BuilderPuget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington
Laid down30 June 1961
Launched14 September 1963
Commissioned14 March 1964
Decommissioned1 October 2004
Stricken1 October 2004
HomeportBremerton, Washington
MottoReady for Service
Nickname(s)"Golden Bear"
FateScrapped at ESCO Marine, Brownsville (USA). Scrapping complete 11 July 2008
General characteristics
Class and typeSacramento-class fast combat support ship
Displacement
  • 18,884 long tons (19,187 t) light
  • 54,000 long tons (54,867 t) full
Length796 ft (243 m)
Beam107 ft (33 m)
Draft38 ft (12 m)
Installed power100,000 shp (75 MW)
Propulsion
Speed30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)+
Capacity
Complement34 officers and 602 enlisted
Sensors and
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Aircraft carried2 × CH-46A/D Sea Knight helicopters

USS Sacramento (AOE-1) was the third ship in the United States Navy to bear the name, for both the river, and the capital city of California. She was the lead ship of her class of fast combat support ship.

She combined the functions of three logistics ships in one hull; fleet oiler (AO), ammunition ship (AE), and refrigerated stores ship (AFS).

Admiral Arleigh Burke originated the concept of a single supply ship system. He saw the design as an answer to logistics problems he encountered during World War II. The limited speed, range, and payload of early underway replenishment (UnRep) groups prevented resupply due to bad weather and tactical demands of the war. To counter these problems, the Fast Combat Support Ship (AOE) was designed.