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USS Kansas City (AOR 3)

USS KANSAS CITY was the third ship in the WICHITA-class of replenishment oilers and the first completed United States Navy vessel named for Kansas City, the metropolitan area encompassing the neighboring cities of Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas. The name had previously been assigned to the planned OREGON CITY-class heavy cruiser KANSAS CITY (CA 128), whose keel was laid at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, on July 9, 1945. Construction of that cruiser was canceled on August 12, 1945, shortly before the end of World War II, and the vessel was never completed.

Decommissioned on October 7, 1994, and stricken from the Navy list on April 8, 1997, KANSAS CITY was subsequently laid up with the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet, Benicia, Ca., awaiting final disposal. Sold for scrapping on June 11, 2013, to All Star Metals of Brownsville, Tx., KANSAS CITY was towed to nearby Mare Island, Vallejo, Calif., for clean-up on July 31, 2013. The ship left California under tow on August 16, 2013, and arrived at Brownsville, Tx., on October 20, 2013. She has since been scrapped.

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS KANSAS CITY. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

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• Click here to see which USS KANSAS CITY memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS KANSAS CITY Cruise Books:

• Maiden Cruise Book 1970-71
• WestPac Cruise Book 1981-82
• WestPac Cruise Book 1983
• WestPac Cruise Book 1985
• WestPac Cruise Book 1987-88
• WestPac Cruise Book 1993

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Accidents aboard USS KANSAS CITY:

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USS KANSAS CITY History:

USS KANSAS CITY's construction contract was awarded to General Dynamics Corporation on July 6, 1966, and her keel was laid at the company's Quincy shipyard in Massachusetts on April 18, 1968. She was launched on June 28, 1969, sponsored by Mrs. Edith M. Darby, the wife of former United States Senator Harry Darby of Kansas. Following fitting-out, machinery testing and completion of the necessary inspections, USS KANSAS CITY was commissioned at Boston Naval Shipyard in Charlestown, Massachusetts, on June 6, 1970, with Captain Karl J. Christoph Jr. as her first commanding officer.

Following commissioning, USS KANSAS CITY remained at Boston Naval Shipyard for fitting-out work and preparations for her initial voyage to the Pacific coast. On August 5, 1970, she departed Boston for her assigned homeport of Long Beach, California. Her first stop was Norfolk, Virginia, where she arrived on August 8 and remained for approximately one week while additional testing was conducted. She subsequently proceeded to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for a week of preliminary shakedown training. The training included basic seamanship, shiphandling, engineering and operational procedures intended to prepare the newly commissioned vessel for regular fleet service.

Following the Cuban training period, USS KANSAS CITY visited San Juan, Puerto Rico, from August 26 through August 30, and Willemstad, Curacao, from September 1 through September 4. She transited the Panama Canal on September 6, entering the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Continuing northward along the Mexican coast, she visited Acapulco from September 10 through September 13 before completing the final leg of the voyage to California. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Long Beach on September 18, 1970, establishing the base from which she would conduct her initial Pacific Fleet operations.

During October 1970, USS KANSAS CITY underwent ship qualification trials and further testing in port and in the southern California operating areas. These activities included evaluations of her machinery and replenishment equipment as well as training conducted under the supervision of Fleet Training Group San Diego. The ship also supported sonar convergence-zone testing. From November 1 through December 12, she completed an extensive shakedown training program that included engineering drills, navigation, damage control, communications, shiphandling and underway replenishment procedures. Final at-sea contract trials followed from December 13 through December 18. After the year-end holiday leave period, USS KANSAS CITY entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard on January 5, 1971, for a post-shakedown availability. Repairs, equipment adjustments and modifications continued until March 8, when the ship completed the yard period and resumed preparations for regular operational service.

From March 8 through March 12, 1971, USS KANSAS CITY conducted type training in the southern California operating areas. During the following two months, she participated in underway replenishment exercises with other Pacific Fleet vessels, completed short maintenance availabilities and progressively loaded the fuel, ammunition and other supplies required for her first overseas assignment. Her duties during this period concentrated on qualifying personnel in the procedures needed to transfer petroleum products and solid cargo while maintaining station alongside receiving vessels. With preparations completed, USS KANSAS CITY departed Naval Station Long Beach on May 18, 1971, for her first deployment to the western Pacific.

The deployment took place during the Vietnam War, when the United States Seventh Fleet maintained aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers and other warships in the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin. Although American ground forces were being withdrawn under the policy of Vietnamization, American naval and air operations continued to require large quantities of fuel, ammunition and supplies. USS KANSAS CITY's principal mission was to support vessels operating at Yankee Station, the designated carrier operating area in the Gulf of Tonkin, and ships assigned to Operation Market Time, the continuing maritime effort to restrict the movement of weapons and supplies to communist forces in South Vietnam. Subic Bay in the Philippines served as her principal forward logistics base.

USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Subic Bay on June 5, 1971, and began loading additional fuel, ammunition and stores. She departed on June 11 for her first operational replenishment cycle off Vietnam. On June 14, she entered the combat zone in waters off southern Vietnam for the first time. The ship proceeded northward along the coast, replenishing American and allied vessels before reaching Yankee Station on June 21. She provided fuel and supplies to ships supporting carrier operations and then returned toward the southern operating areas. After another replenishment assignment at Yankee Station on June 27, USS KANSAS CITY proceeded to Subic Bay, arriving on June 29 for cargo replenishment and maintenance.

During this initial deployment, USS KANSAS CITY also supplied allied naval vessels operating off Vietnam, including the Australian guided-missile destroyer HMAS BRISBANE (D 41). Photographic documentation from 1971 records the transfer of 5-inch gun ammunition, including projectiles and propellant charges, from USS KANSAS CITY to the Australian warship. These deliveries supported the naval gunfire and other operational assignments undertaken by Australian vessels during their participation in the Vietnam War.

USS KANSAS CITY's next replenishment cycle was delayed briefly when Typhoon Harriet affected operations at Subic Bay on July 3, 1971. The ship departed again on July 7, returning to Yankee Station to supply the aircraft carriers and escorts operating in the Gulf of Tonkin. Among the vessels supported during this period was the Seventh Fleet flagship USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CLG 5), together with ships of the carrier task force. After operating in northern waters, USS KANSAS CITY proceeded south and began replenishing units assigned to Operation Market Time on July 19. She made a brief visit to Vung Tau, South Vietnam, on July 24 and subsequently supplied additional vessels before returning to Subic Bay on July 27.

On August 4, 1971, USS KANSAS CITY departed Subic Bay for her third replenishment cycle. Two days later, on August 6, she delivered a fast patrol boat to Da Nang, South Vietnam. She then proceeded northward to resume operations at Yankee Station before returning to Da Nang for another short call on August 19. During the same operational period, she replenished the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN 65) and her escorts. After completing the scheduled replenishments, USS KANSAS CITY proceeded to Hong Kong, where she remained from August 31 through September 6 for maintenance and crew liberty. During the subsequent passage to Subic Bay, she conducted replenishment operations with her sister ship USS WICHITA (AOR 1). She arrived at the Philippine naval base on September 9 and entered a mid-deployment maintenance period.

Captain Phillip R. Craven relieved Captain Christoph as commanding officer on September 28, 1971. USS KANSAS CITY had already departed Subic Bay on September 24 to begin another replenishment cycle. From September 26 through October 4, she operated in the coastal waters associated with Operation Market Time, supplying ships conducting patrols and other assignments along the South Vietnamese coast. On October 5, she arrived at Sattahip, Thailand, for a six-day visit. The port call provided time for crew liberty and routine upkeep after repeated operations off Vietnam. USS KANSAS CITY departed Sattahip on October 11 and returned to Subic Bay on October 14.

USS KANSAS CITY began her final replenishment cycle of the deployment on October 20, 1971. During the following two weeks, she supported ships operating in the Gulf of Tonkin and South China Sea. Her replenishment assignments continued through November 3 and included the aircraft carrier USS ORISKANY (CVA 34), which was operating with the Seventh Fleet. After completing these duties, the replenishment oiler returned to Subic Bay and prepared for the homeward passage. She visited Yokosuka, Japan, from November 10 through November 14 before crossing the Pacific. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Long Beach on November 24, 1971, completing approximately six months of overseas service. Her crew subsequently entered a post-deployment leave and maintenance period that continued through the end of the year.

On January 9, 1972, USS KANSAS CITY began a restricted availability to complete maintenance and address several engineering and cargo-handling problems identified during her first deployment. One important issue involved leaking valves in the cargo fuel system, which had allowed different petroleum products to become mixed. Repairs continued through February. During March, the ship resumed local operations and training, including replenishment exercises in the southern California operating areas. On the night of March 20, a sailor went overboard during shiphandling drills. When his absence was discovered, USS KANSAS CITY initiated a search and launched a motor whaleboat, which recovered him from the water. The following day, he was transferred by helicopter to San Diego, while the ship continued her scheduled exercises.

On March 24, 1972, USS KANSAS CITY conducted a dependents' cruise around Santa Catalina Island, allowing family members of the crew to observe shipboard operations. The program included a gunnery demonstration and a man-overboard drill. Three days later, on March 27, the ship returned to sea for interim refresher training off San Diego. Her second western Pacific deployment had originally been scheduled to begin toward the end of April. However, the military situation in Vietnam changed abruptly on March 30, when North Vietnam launched the Easter Offensive, a major conventional assault against South Vietnamese positions. American naval and air operations expanded in response, increasing the demand for ammunition, aviation fuel and other supplies. When USS KANSAS CITY returned to Long Beach on April 7, her deployment had been advanced by approximately two weeks. Additional cargo was already awaiting loading, and preparations began immediately.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Long Beach on April 15, 1972, for her second deployment to the western Pacific. She arrived at Subic Bay on April 29 and began loading the fuel, ammunition, provisions and fleet freight needed for operations off Vietnam. On May 4, she departed for the Gulf of Tonkin to begin her first replenishment cycle. During May, the ship completed 75 underway replenishment evolutions and five vertical replenishments. Among her receiving ships were the aircraft carriers USS KITTY HAWK (CVA 63), USS CORAL SEA (CVA 43), USS CONSTELLATION (CVA 64), USS MIDWAY (CVA 41) and USS HANCOCK (CVA 19), as well as the heavy cruiser USS NEWPORT NEWS (CA 148). The replenishments supported the increased tempo of American naval operations following the Easter Offensive, including carrier air missions against targets in North Vietnam. USS KANSAS CITY returned to Subic Bay on May 29 and immediately began replenishing her own stocks for the next operational period.

On June 8, 1972, USS KANSAS CITY departed Subic Bay for another replenishment cycle and conducted two underway replenishments on the same day. During the following weeks, she continued supplying aircraft carriers and their escorts in the Gulf of Tonkin. The routine frequently involved remaining at sea for three weeks or longer, followed by comparatively brief visits to Subic Bay for loading and maintenance. Carrier replenishments were normally required every few days, while additional supplies were received from ammunition ships and other auxiliaries to maintain the quantities of cargo available for transfer. During this second operational cycle, USS KANSAS CITY completed another 55 underway replenishments and five vertical replenishments. Typhoon Ora disrupted her subsequent visit to Subic Bay on June 24 and June 25.

USS KANSAS CITY returned to the Gulf of Tonkin for further replenishment periods from July 2 through July 20 and July 26 through August 16, 1972. These assignments involved repeated deliveries of fuel, ammunition and stores to warships supporting the continuing American air campaign. After completing the second of these cycles, the ship proceeded to Hong Kong for a visit from August 23 through August 29. She departed Hong Kong on August 29 and returned toward the Gulf of Tonkin. Typhoon Elsie forced her to adjust her movements from September 1 through September 4, although she nevertheless completed fourteen underway replenishments during the period. By this stage of the deployment, USS KANSAS CITY had already exceeded the total number of replenishment evolutions conducted during her entire first western Pacific cruise. She returned to Subic Bay on September 9 for her scheduled mid-deployment upkeep period.

On September 26, 1972, USS KANSAS CITY departed Subic Bay for another extended period in the Gulf of Tonkin. Typhoon Lorna affected the ship's operations on October 1 and October 2. During the same replenishment cycle, water entered the motor of the No. 2 ammunition elevator, rendering it unusable and preventing normal access to three of the ship's five ammunition magazines. The problem complicated the movement of ammunition from the magazines to the replenishment stations. USS KANSAS CITY compensated by increasing the frequency with which she received ammunition from other supply ships and transferred it to combat vessels. A scheduled visit to Sattahip, Thailand, was canceled because of the additional operational requirements.

On October 15, 1972, USS KANSAS CITY experienced a malfunction involving her gyrocompass. The necessary replacement part was not immediately available, and the ship was forced to cancel a scheduled underway replenishment, the first such cancellation during the deployment. She returned to Subic Bay on October 19 for repairs to the ammunition elevator and other equipment. Captain Robert E. Schwoeffermann subsequently assumed command on October 28, relieving Captain Craven.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Subic Bay again on October 31, 1972, and spent most of November in the Gulf of Tonkin on her final replenishment cycle of the deployment. Typhoon Pamela forced another adjustment to her operations from November 6 through November 8. During the month, the ship continued supplying American aircraft carriers and escorts engaged in operations connected with the Linebacker campaign. The command history of USS ENTERPRISE records replenishments from USS KANSAS CITY on November 11, November 14, November 17 and November 25, providing independently documented examples of her operating schedule during this period. USS KANSAS CITY returned to Subic Bay on November 27 and departed the Philippines on December 1 for the return passage to the United States.

The return voyage was initially interrupted by severe weather. On December 2, 1972, USS KANSAS CITY encountered heavy seas off the northern coast of Luzon, causing the ship to pound heavily. Reducing speed did not sufficiently improve conditions, and she returned to Subic Bay, where her fuel load was adjusted to improve stability. USS KANSAS CITY departed again on the evening of December 3 and continued eastward across the Pacific. During the homeward passage, she replenished the guided-missile cruiser USS PROVIDENCE (CLG 6) on December 11 and USS NEWPORT NEWS on December 12. These final evolutions brought the total number of underway replenishments conducted during the deployment to 371. After a brief stop at Seal Beach, California, to unload ammunition, USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Long Beach on the afternoon of December 19, 1972, completing an eight-month deployment. The ship received a Meritorious Unit Commendation for her service during this period of intensive Vietnam War operations.

Following post-deployment leave and maintenance, USS KANSAS CITY began 1973 with preparations for another overseas assignment. Captain David N. Henriques Jr. assumed command in early February 1973. The ship entered a six-week restricted availability on January 20 for major boiler repairs. She returned to sea on March 5, proceeding to Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach to load ammunition before arriving at the San Pedro Fuel Depot the following morning. Fuel loading and adjustments to the cargo fuel system continued until March 23, when USS KANSAS CITY returned to Long Beach.

On March 30, 1973, USS KANSAS CITY departed for a week of refresher training with Fleet Training Group San Diego. After a brief return to Long Beach, she resumed local exercises, conducting underway replenishments with the dock landing ship USS FORT FISHER (LSD 40), the guided-missile frigate USS HALSEY (DLG 23), the guided-missile destroyer USS LYNDE McCORMICK (DDG 8), USS HANCOCK and the destroyer escort USS STEIN (DE 1065). She returned to the San Pedro fuel facilities on April 13 and spent much of the following month loading fuel, ammunition and other cargo for her next overseas deployment.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Long Beach on May 15, 1973, beginning her third western Pacific deployment. On May 24, she was joined by four vessels of Destroyer Squadron 9, and the formation continued toward Southeast Asia. Ships assigned to the squadron during this deployment included the guided-missile destroyer USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG 32), the destroyer USS EDSON (DD 946), and the destroyer escorts USS COOK (DE 1083) and USS FRANCIS HAMMOND (DE 1067). USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Subic Bay on May 31 and began loading supplies for her first replenishment assignment.

On June 9, 1973, USS KANSAS CITY departed Subic Bay for the Gulf of Tonkin. Although the Paris Peace Accords had been signed in January and American direct combat operations in Vietnam had largely ended, the Seventh Fleet continued maintaining naval forces in the region. USS KANSAS CITY spent the remainder of June supplying ships operating in the Gulf of Tonkin and adjacent waters. On June 22, Commodore Frederick B. Bromley visited the ship to present the Meritorious Unit Commendation awarded for her service during the previous deployment. Captain Craven, one of the ship's former commanding officers, also attended the presentation.

USS KANSAS CITY returned to Subic Bay on July 1, 1973, to replenish her stores. She subsequently departed for Singapore, where she remained from July 13 through July 18. On July 19, the ship crossed the equator and conducted the traditional crossing-the-line ceremony for crew members making their first equatorial passage. She returned to the waters near the Gulf of Tonkin on July 21 and conducted ten days of replenishment operations before arriving at Subic Bay on August 2 for repairs and cargo loading.

During the Subic Bay visit, members of the crew participated in a community assistance project at an elementary school in Olongapo City on August 12, 1973. USS KANSAS CITY departed the naval base on August 15, conducted gunnery practice and proceeded to the Vietnamese operating areas for another replenishment cycle from August 18 through September 7. After this period, the ship continued supporting Seventh Fleet operations and underwent maintenance at Japanese facilities, including Sasebo.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Sasebo on October 12, 1973, for a planned visit to Hong Kong. Typhoons Ruth and Patsy affected her passage through the South China Sea and delayed her arrival until October 18. With further severe weather threatening the region, the visit was shortened to two days. USS KANSAS CITY departed Hong Kong on October 20 and proceeded to the Gulf of Tonkin, where she completed ten replenishment evolutions over three days. She arrived at Subic Bay on October 24 and began preparing for the return passage to California.

While at Subic Bay, however, USS KANSAS CITY received orders that substantially changed the remainder of her deployment. On October 6, 1973, Egypt and Syria had launched coordinated attacks against Israel, beginning the Yom Kippur War. Although a ceasefire had been established later that month, the conflict had caused serious international tensions, including a confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union. American naval forces were directed toward the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea to maintain a presence during the crisis. USS HANCOCK and a group of escorts were assigned to the region, requiring replenishment support far from the normal Seventh Fleet supply bases.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Subic Bay on November 1, 1973, to rendezvous with the carrier force. She entered the Indian Ocean on November 6 and continued toward the Arabian Sea. Captain Henriques assumed responsibility for coordinating replenishment support in the area, working with other auxiliary vessels that included the stores ship USS VEGA (AF 59) and the ammunition ship USS MOUNT HOOD (AE 29). The supporting logistical arrangements extended over approximately 4,000 miles and involved the movement and redistribution of fuel, ammunition and other supplies to sustain the carrier group at sea. USS KANSAS CITY remained in the Arabian Sea until November 20, conducting replenishments and coordinating cargo transfers with other support vessels.

After completing the Indian Ocean assignment, USS KANSAS CITY began the eastward passage toward the Philippines, consolidating supplies with other auxiliaries during the voyage. She arrived at Subic Bay on December 2, 1973, and completed the necessary preparations for the return to the United States. The ship departed on December 7. On December 12, she conducted underway replenishments with the destroyer escorts USS KIRK (DE 1087), USS SCHOFIELD (DEG 3), USS BRONSTEIN (DE 1037) and USS LOCKWOOD (DE 1064), which were proceeding westward as part of Destroyer Squadron 23. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Long Beach on December 23, 1973.

Following the deployment, USS KANSAS CITY underwent the customary post-deployment standdown. On January 14 and January 15, 1974, she made a short voyage to Seal Beach to offload ammunition returned from overseas. Her leave and maintenance period ended on January 24, when she began a readiness improvement program. The Board of Inspection and Survey conducted an inspection from February 11 through February 15. The assessment identified maintenance and training deficiencies that had developed during the ship's repeated operational deployments, particularly the demanding replenishment schedule maintained during the Vietnam War.

During March 1974, USS KANSAS CITY prepared for a change of homeport from Long Beach to the San Francisco Bay area. On March 6, she held a dependents' day in port, providing crew members' families with an opportunity to visit the ship and observe demonstrations of its operations. USS KANSAS CITY departed Long Beach for the final time as her homeport on March 21, carrying representatives of Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri. During the passage northward, the crew conducted burials at sea for two retired chief petty officers. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Naval Air Station Alameda on March 22, establishing her new homeport.

On April 8, 1974, USS KANSAS CITY moved to the AAA Machine Shop facilities in San Francisco to begin a ten-week restricted availability. The work included repairs identified during the earlier inspection and modifications to the cargo fuel system to accommodate Navy Distillate fuel instead of Navy Special Fuel Oil. The transition formed part of the Navy's wider movement toward the use of distillate fuel in surface ship propulsion plants. USS KANSAS CITY completed the availability and successfully conducted sea trials on June 24.

On June 30, 1974, thirty naval reservists embarked for two weeks of annual active-duty training. USS KANSAS CITY departed for San Diego on July 1 and conducted replenishment qualification trials with the ammunition ship USS HALEAKALA (AE 25) on July 3 and July 4. She began refresher training on July 8 under Fleet Training Group San Diego, conducting shiphandling, engineering, navigation, damage-control and replenishment exercises. The training concluded on July 25, and USS KANSAS CITY returned to Alameda on July 27. On August 2, Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf II visited the ship. Captain Ronald R. Hansen relieved Captain Henriques as commanding officer in late July 1974.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Alameda on September 7, 1974, for another deployment to the western Pacific. During the initial passage southward, she replenished USS CORAL SEA and the destroyer escort USS O'CALLAHAN (DE 1051) on September 8. On September 15, she conducted additional replenishment operations with USS McMORRIS (DE 1036) and the missile range instrumentation ship USNS GENERAL H. H. ARNOLD (T-AGM 9). USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Yokosuka, Japan, on September 23 and adjusted her cargo loads before beginning operations in Japanese waters.

Departing Yokosuka on September 26, 1974, USS KANSAS CITY supplied ships operating in the waters around Japan. Beginning on September 30, she supported a joint anti-submarine warfare exercise involving the United States Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. A proposed port call at Kagoshima was canceled, and USS KANSAS CITY proceeded instead to Sasebo for cargo adjustments and maintenance from October 4 through October 8. She departed Sasebo on October 8 and arrived at Subic Bay on October 15, beginning a two-week maintenance and loading period. Typhoon Carmen temporarily interfered with activities at the Philippine base.

During the Subic Bay visit, USS KANSAS CITY received orders to proceed to the Indian Ocean to replace the fast combat support ship USS CAMDEN (AOE 2), which had experienced an engineering problem. She departed for Singapore on November 5, 1974. While underway, however, USS CAMDEN repaired the machinery problem, eliminating the need for USS KANSAS CITY to replace her. USS KANSAS CITY consequently made a short visit to Singapore from November 8 through November 9 before returning toward the Philippine operating areas.

From November 13 through November 15, 1974, USS KANSAS CITY participated in Multiplex 2-75, a fleet exercise involving coordinated operations by surface ships and aircraft. During part of the exercise, the replenishment oiler used modified lighting and simulated flight-deck procedures to represent an aircraft carrier for training purposes. After the exercise, she returned to Subic Bay for replenishment from November 19 through November 23. She then visited Hong Kong from November 25 through November 29. During the Thanksgiving holiday, the ship hosted a meal for twenty disadvantaged children.

USS KANSAS CITY returned to Subic Bay from December 4 through December 6, 1974, and then proceeded north toward Sasebo, replenishing ships during the transit. She arrived on December 22 and began her mid-deployment upkeep period. During the Christmas holiday, the crew hosted approximately eighty children from a local welfare institution aboard the ship.

On January 6, 1975, USS KANSAS CITY departed Sasebo for Yokosuka. On the same day, she replenished two South Korean naval vessels, ROKS SEOUL (DD 92) and ROKS UNG-GO (ATD 83). She arrived at Yokosuka on January 9 and entered dry dock for repairs. USS KANSAS CITY emerged from dry dock on January 13 and departed for Hong Kong. She conducted several replenishment evolutions during the passage and remained at Hong Kong for approximately one week. The ship departed Hong Kong on January 31 and proceeded to Subic Bay, where she underwent upkeep and loaded supplies from February 2 through February 8.

During the following week, USS KANSAS CITY supported Seventh Fleet operations near the Philippines, including ReadEx 1-75 from February 11 through February 14, 1975. This exercise simulated large-scale naval operations in the Pacific and required participating ships to coordinate their movements and logistical arrangements. USS KANSAS CITY returned briefly to Subic Bay for fuel on February 16 and continued replenishment operations before entering the port again on February 20.

On February 24, 1975, USS KANSAS CITY was involved in a minor collision while moored at Subic Bay. The guided-missile destroyer USS HENRY B. WILSON (DDG 7) struck the replenishment oiler while approaching the wharf. Both ships sustained minor damage. USS KANSAS CITY subsequently completed her remaining preparations for the return voyage to California.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Subic Bay on March 7, 1975, and crossed the Pacific toward Hawaii. She made her first visit to Pearl Harbor on March 21, remaining for one day. Rear Admiral John M. Barrett, Commander Service Force, Pacific Fleet, visited the ship during the stop. USS KANSAS CITY departed the following day and arrived at Naval Air Station Alameda on March 28, completing her deployment.

After a month of post-deployment leave and upkeep, USS KANSAS CITY resumed operations on April 29, 1975, for several days of replenishment support involving USS ORISKANY in the northern California operating areas. She returned on May 2 and departed again on May 13 to rendezvous with USS ENTERPRISE, which was returning from its western Pacific deployment, and receive ammunition being transferred from the carrier.

On June 5, 1975, USS KANSAS CITY departed for San Diego, arriving at Naval Air Station North Island on June 6. After another day underway on June 10, she proceeded to the Naval Fuel Depot at San Pedro, where she remained from June 11 through June 25. During this period, the ship offloaded fuel and cleaned her cargo tanks in preparation for a major overhaul. She arrived at Naval Supply Center Oakland on June 26 and moved to Alameda on July 3.

USS KANSAS CITY entered dry dock MRV-1 at Todd Shipyard in Oakland on July 14, 1975, beginning the dry-docking phase of her first major overhaul. She emerged on August 1 but remained at Todd Shipyard until August 22, when she shifted to the AAA Shipyard in San Francisco for additional work. The overhaul involved major modifications to the ship's machinery, weapons, cargo-handling equipment, aviation facilities and living spaces.

On February 27, 1976, while USS KANSAS CITY was alongside the AAA Machine Shop facilities at Pier 64 in San Francisco, the commercial tug SEA ROBIN accidentally struck her starboard quarter. The tug was assisting another vessel nearby when it lost power and collided with the replenishment oiler near frames 35 and 36. The impact damaged a section of the ship's shell plating approximately ten feet long and nearly three feet wide and caused an indentation of about three inches. One of her JP-5 aviation fuel cargo tanks was also damaged. The damage did not prevent continuation of the overhaul, but permanent repairs would require a later dry-docking. Following disagreement over the cost of the repairs, the tug operator eventually agreed to pay the Navy $13,500.

The overhaul introduced substantial changes to USS KANSAS CITY's configuration. Two of her original 3-inch gun mounts were removed to provide space for a larger aviation deck, hangars and support facilities for two CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters and their embarked detachment. A NATO Sea Sparrow missile system was installed, and the ship received new communications equipment, including satellite communication and computer facilities. Her radio spaces were reorganized, and a self-contained sewage treatment system was fitted. Interior improvements included renovated crew berthing areas, sanitary facilities, mess decks and recreation spaces, together with a closed-circuit television system. The modifications increased the ship's ability to conduct vertical replenishment and improved her capacity to support extended deployments.

USS KANSAS CITY completed sea trials on April 22 and April 23, 1976, and formally concluded the overhaul on May 31. After completing preparations for renewed operations, she embarked fifteen representatives from Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri, on June 20. The following day, she put to sea for replenishment qualification trials with the combat stores ship USS NIAGARA FALLS (AFS 3). During the next two days, she also conducted replenishments with USS NIAGARA FALLS and the ammunition ship USS MAUNA KEA (AE 22), returning to Alameda on June 24.

Captain Thomas G. Moore relieved Captain Hansen as commanding officer on June 29, 1976. USS KANSAS CITY subsequently resumed training in the southern California operating areas. She departed on July 19 and arrived at Long Beach on July 23. From July 27 through July 30, the ship conducted qualification testing of her NATO Sea Sparrow missile system on the Pacific Missile Range. She also replenished several ships undergoing refresher training, including USS CORAL SEA. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Broadway Pier in San Diego on August 6 and was opened for public visits over the weekend, receiving more than 3,000 visitors.

On August 9, 1976, USS KANSAS CITY shifted to Naval Air Station North Island and began refresher training. Following a week of exercises in port, she completed the underway portion from August 16 through August 26, conducting replenishment operations and engineering drills. The ship returned to Alameda on August 30 and began final preparations for another western Pacific deployment.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Alameda on September 25, 1976. Two days later, she rendezvoused with units of Amphibious Squadron 1 and Destroyer Squadron 7, supplying the formation during the passage toward Hawaii. She visited Pearl Harbor from October 1 through October 4 and continued toward Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. On October 13, she crossed the equator, conducting the customary crossing-the-line ceremony.

The first major operational assignment of the deployment was Exercise Kangaroo II, a multinational amphibious exercise held in the Shoalwater Bay area of Australia. American, Australian and New Zealand naval forces participated in the exercise, practicing the movement and landing of amphibious forces and the protection and logistical support of the participating naval formation. USS KANSAS CITY conducted numerous replenishment operations during the exercise.

On October 19, 1976, USS KANSAS CITY collided with the guided-missile destroyer USS HOEL (DDG 13) during an underway replenishment evolution. USS HOEL experienced an engineering casualty while positioned alongside the replenishment oiler. Both vessels sustained minor damage, and no injuries were reported. Following completion of the exercise on October 25, USS KANSAS CITY proceeded to Sydney, Australia, where she remained from October 28 through November 6 for maintenance and crew liberty.

Departing Sydney, USS KANSAS CITY proceeded toward the Philippines in company with the nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9) and the frigate USS BARBEY (FF 1088). During November 1976, she operated primarily in the waters near Subic Bay, replenishing ships associated with the USS ENTERPRISE and USS MIDWAY carrier groups. She returned periodically to the Philippine base for fuel and cargo loading, often remaining in port only overnight before resuming operations.

On December 4, 1976, USS KANSAS CITY entered Subic Bay for a ten-day period of maintenance and cargo adjustment. She departed on December 15 to participate in Multiplex 1-77, a fleet exercise involving coordinated operations by several surface and aviation units. USS KANSAS CITY continued conducting replenishments during the exercise and successfully launched a NATO Sea Sparrow missile against a target on December 22. She returned briefly to Subic Bay on December 23 and departed again on December 24 to supply the destroyer USS HULL (DD 945) and the guided-missile destroyers USS WADDELL (DDG 24) and USS DECATUR (DDG 31). That evening, she entered the Naval Ship Repair Facility at Subic Bay for maintenance.

After completing repairs and cargo loading, USS KANSAS CITY returned to sea on January 20, 1977. She conducted replenishment operations near the Philippines and on January 24 proceeded toward the Singapore operating area in company with USS ENTERPRISE. She replenished the carrier on January 25, transferring cargo by both alongside and helicopter methods before turning north toward Sasebo. USS KANSAS CITY arrived there on February 3 for maintenance and upkeep.

Departing Sasebo on February 20, 1977, USS KANSAS CITY proceeded to Subic Bay for an overnight stop on February 24. She departed again on February 25 and arrived at Singapore on March 2 for a week of crew liberty. The ship subsequently returned to Subic Bay from March 13 through March 15 to replenish supplies before heading north to Yokosuka, where she arrived on March 19.

From March 22 into early April 1977, USS KANSAS CITY operated from Yokosuka, supporting American and Japanese naval vessels engaged in training and operational activities near Japan. On April 4, she departed for South Korea in company with an amphibious task force led by the amphibious assault ship USS OKINAWA (LPH 3). USS KANSAS CITY visited Pusan from April 8 through April 11, returned briefly to Sasebo on April 12 and continued south toward the Philippines.

After completing the remaining operational requirements of her deployment, USS KANSAS CITY began the homeward passage across the Pacific. She arrived at Naval Air Station Alameda on May 17, 1977, completing almost eight months overseas. During the deployment, USS KANSAS CITY had conducted 198 underway replenishment evolutions, a figure reported at the time as possibly the largest number completed by a single replenishment ship during a peacetime deployment. Her performance during this general period was subsequently recognized with a Navy Battle Efficiency Award.

Following post-deployment leave and upkeep, USS KANSAS CITY resumed local operations on July 11, 1977, conducting an underway replenishment with USS NIAGARA FALLS. On July 25, she departed for southern California to participate in missile-related training under Chief of Naval Operations Project 112. She returned to Alameda on July 28 and conducted further testing from August 1 through August 4.

During September 1977, USS KANSAS CITY concentrated on engineering training and preparations for her Operational Propulsion Plant Examination. She subsequently conducted an operational shakedown from October 6 through October 10, including a replenishment with the ammunition ship USS PYRO (AE 24) on October 7. Captain John R. Wilson Jr. relieved Captain Moore as commanding officer on October 28. Following additional local training during November, USS KANSAS CITY departed on November 30 for further missile operations in southern California under Project 112. She returned to Naval Supply Center Oakland on December 14 and remained in the San Francisco Bay area during the year-end holiday period.

USS KANSAS CITY began 1978 with underway training from January 4 through January 6. On January 8, she shifted to Naval Air Station Alameda and began a two-month restricted maintenance availability. She returned to sea from March 15 through March 18 for a shakedown and boiler testing. On March 20, the ship entered dry dock at Bethlehem Steel Shipyard for rudder repairs. She emerged from dry dock on April 6 and returned to Alameda before completing another shakedown cruise from April 10 through April 14.

On April 24, 1978, USS KANSAS CITY departed for San Diego to begin preparations for another overseas deployment. During the passage, she conducted replenishment qualification trials with the ammunition ship USS KISKA (AE 35). She arrived at Naval Air Station North Island on April 28 and began additional training and inspections. Engineering trials were conducted from May 9 through May 13, followed by two weeks of refresher training involving navigation, seamanship, damage control and replenishment operations. USS KANSAS CITY completed the program on May 26 and returned to Alameda on May 27.

On May 29, 1978, Naval Academy and Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps midshipmen embarked for summer training. USS KANSAS CITY departed on June 1 to participate in ReadiEx 3-78 in southern California waters. She completed nine underway replenishments during the exercise before detaching on June 4 for independent training. She returned to Alameda on June 9 and spent the following weeks conducting engineering exercises, inspections and operational-readiness assessments. Her Operational Propulsion Plant Examination was conducted from July 5 through July 7, followed by another period of sea trials on July 11. The ship underwent a Board of Inspection and Survey assessment from July 17 through July 21.

After further missile system preparations at Alameda, USS KANSAS CITY proceeded to southern California for weapons qualification tests from August 7 through August 10, 1978. She visited Long Beach from August 10 through August 14, during which the ship was opened to the public. On August 14, she loaded ammunition at Seal Beach and returned to San Diego for additional training. USS KANSAS CITY departed on August 17 for FleetEx 2-78, completing 23 underway replenishments and one vertical replenishment during the ten-day exercise. She returned to Alameda on August 28 and began final preparations for her next deployment.

USS KANSAS CITY departed California on September 26, 1978, with Task Unit 37.9.4, beginning another extended western Pacific deployment. She rendezvoused with the larger task group on September 29 and began underway replenishment operations. From October 2 through October 6, the ship participated in Composite Training Unit Exercise 1-79 in the Hawaiian operating areas. She arrived at Pearl Harbor on October 10 for a four-night visit to load fuel and supplies before continuing westward. USS KANSAS CITY reached Subic Bay on October 25 and conducted a brief replenishment stop.

The following day, October 26, 1978, USS KANSAS CITY departed Subic Bay to avoid Typhoon Rita and continue logistical support for Task Group 77.7. The storm caused dangerous conditions in the South China Sea and resulted in damage to several vessels. On October 29, the Moroccan tanker TOUBKAL ran aground on Scarborough Shoal, approximately 145 miles west of Subic Bay, and broke into two sections in the heavy weather. USS KANSAS CITY was assigned to assist the crew of the stranded tanker. Her embarked helicopters rescued forty sailors from TOUBKAL during the operation. The rescue took place under difficult conditions associated with the tropical storm and demonstrated the utility of the ship's embarked aviation detachment for emergency operations as well as replenishment. USS KANSAS CITY subsequently returned to Subic Bay, arriving that evening and beginning an upkeep period the following day.

USS KANSAS CITY resumed operations on November 11, 1978, providing replenishment support to ships of Task Group 77.7 in the South China Sea. She made a brief visit to Sasebo on November 24 for fuel and cargo loading and returned to sea the following day. She visited Sasebo again from November 30 through December 4 before rejoining the task group in the Philippine Sea. USS KANSAS CITY subsequently entered Yokosuka from December 13 through December 17 for additional fuel and supplies. On December 21, she detached from the task group and proceeded to Keelung, Taiwan, where she remained from December 22 through December 26 for the Christmas holiday. She returned to Subic Bay on December 29 and completed cargo loading for the next operational period.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Subic Bay on January 1, 1979, and rejoined Task Group 77.7 in the South China Sea on January 5. During the next two days, she completed five vertical replenishments and four underway replenishments before detaching to join Task Group 73.5. She transited the Strait of Malacca on January 8 and briefly operated in the Indian Ocean before returning toward the South China Sea. Captain Dennis M. Brooks relieved Captain Wilson as commanding officer on January 12, during the deployment.

USS KANSAS CITY visited Singapore from January 15 through January 18, 1979, to load supplies before rejoining Task Group 77.7 on January 19. She continued replenishment operations during the following days. On January 27, while operating with the destroyer USS MORTON (DD 948), she crossed the equator and conducted the traditional crossing-the-line ceremony. Following a brief fuel stop at Subic Bay on February 2, USS KANSAS CITY visited Hong Kong from February 5 through February 8. She returned to Subic Bay on February 11 and began a maintenance period extending through the remainder of the month.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Subic Bay on March 2, 1979, and completed two replenishment operations before returning to port on March 3 to prepare for the homeward voyage. On March 6, however, she received orders extending the deployment because of renewed fighting between North Yemen and South Yemen. The conflict raised concerns about political instability near the approaches to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. American officials also believed that South Yemen was receiving Soviet military assistance. The Seventh Fleet consequently directed additional naval forces into the Indian Ocean.

USS KANSAS CITY began loading additional supplies for the contingency deployment. Vice Admiral Sylvester R. Foley Jr., Commander Seventh Fleet, visited the ship on March 7, and Rear Admiral Robert B. McClinton, Commander Naval Surface Group Western Pacific, visited on March 8. USS KANSAS CITY departed Subic Bay on March 8, 1979, in company with USS CONSTELLATION, the guided-missile cruiser USS STERETT (CG 31) and USS WADDELL. The formation transited the Strait of Malacca and entered the Indian Ocean on March 14. USS KANSAS CITY made a brief stop at Diego Garcia on March 16 and continued toward the northern Indian Ocean.

On March 21, 1979, USS KANSAS CITY rendezvoused with Task Group 77.7, which included her original transit companions and additional vessels such as the destroyer USS DAVIS (DD 937), the guided-missile frigate USS RICHARD L. PAGE (FFG 5) and the frigate USS DONALD B. BEARY (FF 1085). She replenished ships of the group and subsequently returned to Diego Garcia from March 28 through March 29 for cargo and fuel adjustments.

USS KANSAS CITY returned to Task Group 77.7 on April 4, 1979, and resumed replenishment operations in the Indian Ocean. She visited Diego Garcia again on April 11 and departed on April 13 for the return passage toward Southeast Asia. Before leaving the operating area, she made a final rendezvous with the task group on April 16. On April 17, she conducted a vertical replenishment with USS MIDWAY, which had relieved USS CONSTELLATION as the principal carrier operating in the region.

During the passage through the Strait of Malacca on April 19, 1979, Rear Admiral Ernest E. Tissot Jr., Commander Carrier Strike Force Seventh Fleet, visited USS KANSAS CITY. The ship arrived at Subic Bay on April 23 and received visits from senior Seventh Fleet officers. Her operations during the contingency deployment were subsequently recognized with a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

USS KANSAS CITY finally departed the Philippines for home on April 27, 1979. She visited Pearl Harbor from May 9 through May 10, where Admiral Donald C. Davis, Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, came aboard. Twenty-five relatives of crew members embarked for the final Pacific passage. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Alameda on May 17, ending a deployment of almost eight months. Following post-deployment leave and upkeep, USS KANSAS CITY became the flagship of Commander Service Group One on May 29, 1979. During June, the ship hosted several command and official visits, including a change of command ceremony for Service Group One on June 20. USS KANSAS CITY resumed local operations on June 27 and conducted further replenishment training during August, including qualification exercises with the ammunition ship USS FLINT (AE 32) from August 20 through August 24.

On September 14, 1979, USS KANSAS CITY departed Alameda for replenishment operations with the aircraft carrier USS RANGER (CV 61). She subsequently proceeded to Seal Beach to adjust her ammunition cargo and continued southward on September 28. Two days later, she supplied USS CORAL SEA and USS CONSTELLATION while en route to Mexico. USS KANSAS CITY visited Mazatlan from October 5 through October 9, providing an opportunity for crew liberty. During the remainder of October, she operated mainly in southern California waters. From October 15 through October 19, she conducted replenishment qualification trials with USS WICHITA before visiting Long Beach from October 22 through October 23 to offload fuel and ammunition. She returned to the San Francisco Bay area on October 25.

USS KANSAS CITY began her second major overhaul on December 3, 1979, and shifted to Bethlehem Steel Shipyard in San Francisco on December 17. The extensive maintenance program included repairs and refurbishment of her propulsion machinery, communications equipment, replenishment winches, ship's boats and other equipment. She entered dry dock on January 14, 1980, and remained there until April 15. During this period, repairs were completed to the damage sustained in the collision with the tug SEA ROBIN in February 1976.

On March 28, 1980, a bomb threat made by a shipyard employee caused a temporary interruption to work aboard USS KANSAS CITY. The threat proved unfounded, and the overhaul continued. Captain Gary A. Scoffield relieved Captain Brooks as commanding officer on June 14. The ship subsequently completed sea trials from August 13 through August 15 and returned to Alameda. The overhaul was completed approximately one month ahead of schedule. After emerging from the yard, USS KANSAS CITY underwent a series of engineering and operational tests to restore full fleet readiness. Additional sea trials were conducted from September 16 through September 18, 1980. The ship completed alongside replenishment systems qualification tests during September and October, followed by underway qualification exercises with USS MAUNA KEA from October 6 through October 10. On October 16, she conducted a replenishment and emergency breakaway exercise with USS CORAL SEA.

USS KANSAS CITY departed for southern California on October 28, 1980. During the passage, she replenished the pre-commissioning guided-missile frigate GEORGE PHILIP, later commissioned as USS GEORGE PHILIP (FFG 12), and conducted training associated with her missile system. She visited Long Beach from October 31 through November 2 and subsequently conducted additional weapons qualification exercises. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at San Diego on November 7 for a two-week visit before returning to Alameda. During December, she remained primarily in the San Francisco Bay area conducting local training and maintenance.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Alameda on January 5, 1981, for refresher training in southern California waters. The program continued through much of the month, and she returned to Alameda on January 24. She departed again on February 8, loaded ammunition at Seal Beach and conducted underway replenishment exercises off San Diego before returning on February 19. Further training voyages to southern California took place from March 10 through March 18 and April 13 through April 25.

On May 5, 1981, USS KANSAS CITY departed for another training period that included operations between San Diego and Hawaii. She participated in MidPac exercises, replenishing ships during the westward passage. The ship visited Pearl Harbor from May 18 through May 20 and again from May 22 through May 26. She subsequently called at San Diego from June 2 through June 4 and returned to Alameda on June 6.

USS KANSAS CITY departed again on June 8, 1981, proceeding north toward Oregon. On June 10, she entered the Columbia River and continued up the Willamette River to Portland, where she participated in the city's annual Rose Festival from June 10 through June 15. The visit was part of the Navy's regular participation in the civic event, which included ship visits and opportunities for interaction between naval personnel and the public. USS KANSAS CITY returned to Alameda on June 17.

Preparations for another overseas deployment were interrupted by engineering problems during the summer of 1981. USS KANSAS CITY departed for San Diego on July 6 to participate in FleetEx, but steering engine difficulties forced her to return to Alameda for repairs. She resumed operations on August 11 and August 12. On August 14, while at anchor in San Francisco Bay, an explosion occurred in the ship's No. 1 boiler. The resulting machinery damage prevented her from departing on the scheduled deployment date.

USS KANSAS CITY proceeded to southern California on August 18, 1981, and conducted an underway replenishment with USS WICHITA on August 20. She returned to the San Francisco Bay area, completed the necessary engineering repairs and continued preparing for deployment. After approximately one month's delay, USS KANSAS CITY departed on September 26, 1981, for the western Pacific. She made a brief visit to Pearl Harbor on October 1, 1981, and continued westward, joining Task Unit 33.9.7 on October 4 to conduct underway replenishments. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Subic Bay on October 16 and remained for ten days to load fuel, ammunition and other supplies. She departed on October 26 for an assignment in the Indian Ocean. That evening, she conducted a vertical replenishment with USS CALIFORNIA (CGN 36), which was undertaking a circumnavigation of the globe.

On October 29, 1981, while proceeding through the South China Sea toward the Singapore Strait, USS KANSAS CITY encountered a small boat carrying forty-three Vietnamese refugees. The occupants were taken aboard the replenishment oiler, and their leaking vessel was subsequently sunk. The following day, USS KANSAS CITY transferred the refugees to the destroyer USS DAVID R. RAY (DD 971), which transported them to Subic Bay. The rescue occurred during the continuing movement of refugees from Vietnam by sea, when many people attempted to reach other Southeast Asian countries in small and frequently unseaworthy vessels. USS KANSAS CITY later received the Humanitarian Service Medal for her participation in the rescue.

USS KANSAS CITY continued toward the Indian Ocean and arrived at Diego Garcia on November 5, 1981, for logistical preparations. She departed on November 9 for the northern Indian Ocean, where American naval forces were maintaining a substantial presence following the Iranian Revolution and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The seizure of the United States Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 and the subsequent hostage crisis had contributed to the expansion of American naval activity in the region. Although the hostages had been released in January 1981, the United States continued operating carrier battle groups in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman.

On November 12, 1981, USS KANSAS CITY joined Task Group 70.3, centered on USS CORAL SEA, at the operating area commonly known as Gonzo Station in the Gulf of Oman. She began providing fuel and supplies to the carrier and its escorts. To replenish her own stocks, the ship used the logistical facilities associated with Masirah Island, Oman. On November 14, she anchored off Masirah and used her embarked helicopters to receive provisions and other materials from shore facilities. These airhead operations permitted USS KANSAS CITY to replenish its cargo without making a lengthy voyage to a major naval port.

USS KANSAS CITY continued servicing the carrier group through November and early December 1981. A fifth airhead operation at Masirah was completed on December 2, after which the ship proceeded to Diego Garcia. She departed on December 11 and rejoined the carrier group on December 13 for the return passage toward Southeast Asia. During the transit, reports of substantial North Korean military activity prompted contingency planning and changes to the group's orders. The activity was subsequently assessed as a military exercise rather than the beginning of hostilities. USS KANSAS CITY consequently proceeded to Singapore for a five-day port visit over the New Year holiday.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Singapore on January 2, 1982, and arrived at Subic Bay on January 7 for repairs and upkeep. Captain Ralph E. Brown Jr. relieved Captain Scoffield as commanding officer on January 8. After completing the maintenance period, USS KANSAS CITY departed on January 25 for Hong Kong, where she remained from January 29 through February 2. She then proceeded to Sasebo, Japan, for a fuel loadout from February 7 through February 8. USS KANSAS CITY subsequently joined the USS CORAL SEA battle group in the Sea of Japan. The formation conducted exercises and operational activities in waters near the Korean Peninsula and Japan. USS KANSAS CITY visited Pusan, South Korea, from February 12 through February 16, 1982. During the port call, members of the crew participated in Project Handclasp, delivering donated supplies to local orphanages. The ship returned to Sasebo from February 16 through February 17 and later visited Buckner Bay, Okinawa, from February 23 through February 24. She arrived at Subic Bay on February 28 to prepare for the return passage.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Subic Bay on March 4, 1982, and proceeded eastward in company with the USS CORAL SEA battle group. She reached Pearl Harbor on March 16 for an overnight stop and embarked relatives of crew members for a Tiger Cruise to California. During the homeward passage, USS KANSAS CITY supplied the smaller ships of the formation before detaching to proceed toward San Francisco. On March 19 and March 20, she transferred ammunition to USS SHASTA (AE 33). She then rendezvoused with USS CORAL SEA off San Francisco on March 22 for a final underway replenishment before arriving at Naval Air Station Alameda on March 23, 1982.

Following post-deployment leave, USS KANSAS CITY resumed training and fleet-support duties. She operated off southern California from April 22 through April 29, 1982, providing replenishment support to ships undergoing training. Another visit to the San Diego operating areas followed from May 24 through May 28. She subsequently proceeded to Mazatlan, Mexico, for a port visit from May 30 through June 2 before returning to Alameda on June 6. A two-month maintenance availability followed.

USS KANSAS CITY resumed more intensive training during August 1982. On August 18, she departed for replenishment qualifications with USNS KILAUEA (T-AE 26) and engineering casualty-control exercises. She subsequently participated in Exercise Kernel Egress 2-82 from August 23 through August 27 with USS CONSTELLATION and USS WADDELL. During October, USS KANSAS CITY supported several naval units returning from deployment. On October 16, she replenished the guided-missile cruisers USS ENGLAND (CG 22) and USS FOX (CG 33), the destroyer USS PAUL F. FOSTER (DD 964) and USS MOUNT HOOD.

After engineering evaluations and maintenance, USS KANSAS CITY departed for San Diego on October 30, 1982, to conduct two weeks of refresher training. Later in the year, she participated in cold-weather amphibious training in the northern Pacific associated with Exercise Kernel Potlach 1-83. The exercise involved American and Canadian forces operating near the Aleutian Islands and included amphibious ships such as USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7), USS PELELIU (LHA 5) and other participating units. USS KANSAS CITY provided replenishment support during the wider exercise period.

USS KANSAS CITY visited Victoria, British Columbia, from December 7 through December 12, 1982. During the subsequent homeward passage, the formation encountered severe weather in the northern Pacific. High winds and heavy seas caused damage aboard USS KANSAS CITY and complicated the return transit. She arrived at Naval Air Station Alameda on December 15, 1982, and entered the year-end leave and maintenance period.

USS KANSAS CITY began 1983 with participation in ReadiEx 83-2, departing Alameda on January 17 for the southern California operating areas. The exercise involved the USS CORAL SEA battle group and included replenishment, weapons and shiphandling evolutions. On January 19, USS KANSAS CITY successfully launched a Sea Sparrow missile during a weapons exercise. On January 24, she participated in a towing exercise with USS MOUNT HOOD. She returned to Alameda on January 31 and spent February and early March undergoing inspections and loading supplies for another deployment.

USS KANSAS CITY loaded ammunition in San Francisco Bay on March 17 and March 18, 1983, before completing preparations for her next overseas assignment. She departed Alameda on March 21, beginning a deployment with USS CORAL SEA. The carrier was making its final departure from the San Francisco Bay area because it had been reassigned to Norfolk, Virginia, as part of changes to the Pacific and Atlantic carrier forces. The formation proceeded south to rendezvous with additional ships, including Canadian destroyers and United States Coast Guard units, before continuing toward Hawaii.

USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Pearl Harbor on March 31, 1983, and departed again on April 2. The task force proceeded northward toward the Aleutian Islands to participate in FleetEx 83 with formations associated with USS ENTERPRISE and USS MIDWAY. During the exercise, USS KANSAS CITY supplied the participating ships along a route extending through the northern Pacific near the Aleutians. She conducted more than fifty underway replenishments in slightly more than three weeks. The exercise involved large-scale coordination of carrier battle groups in northern Pacific waters and provided experience in operating under the weather and sea conditions characteristic of the region.

USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Pusan, South Korea, on April 25, 1983. During the port visit, crew members participated in Project Handclasp activities, distributing more than $13,000 worth of donated goods to three orphanages and a hospital. A group of disabled children also visited the ship. She departed Pusan on April 30 and continued replenishment operations as the task force proceeded toward the Philippines for amphibious landing exercises. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Subic Bay on May 9, 1983, and began a ten-day maintenance period. After loading fuel, ammunition and stores, she departed on May 19 for Singapore. The task force conducted air-defense exercises with units of the Republic of Singapore Navy before arriving on May 26. USS KANSAS CITY remained at Singapore until June 1, when she departed through the Strait of Malacca into the Indian Ocean.

On June 7 and June 8, 1983, the USS CORAL SEA battle group conducted a long-range strike and air-defense exercise with the battle group centered on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70). The carriers operated at considerable distance from one another during the exercise before rendezvousing on June 9 for the formal turnover of responsibilities. Rear Admiral Kendall E. Moranville transferred to USS CORAL SEA, while Rear Admiral Paul F. McCarthy shifted his flag to USS CARL VINSON. USS CORAL SEA subsequently continued toward the Middle East and eventually Norfolk, while USS KANSAS CITY joined the USS CARL VINSON battle group.

From June 12 through June 14, 1983, USS KANSAS CITY supported Multiplex 83-3, an exercise involving coordinated fleet operations. She made a logistical stop at Diego Garcia from June 18 through June 19 and then rejoined the USS CARL VINSON battle group. The formation proceeded toward Australia, and USS KANSAS CITY visited Fremantle, Western Australia, from July 1 through July 7. After the port visit, she resumed operations in the Indian Ocean and returned to Diego Garcia from July 16 through July 17.

USS KANSAS CITY had originally expected to accompany the battle group toward Thailand for a visit to Phuket. However, developments in Central America caused a change in orders. Nicaragua's Sandinista government, the civil war in El Salvador and broader American concerns about Soviet and Cuban influence in the region had led to an increased American naval presence in Central American waters. The battleship USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62), which had returned to commissioned service in December 1982, was being directed toward the area.

USS KANSAS CITY consequently detached from the USS CARL VINSON battle group and proceeded toward the Philippines in company with the destroyer USS INGERSOLL (DD 990) and the frigate USS ROARK (FF 1053). The ships arrived at Subic Bay on July 29, 1983, where USS KANSAS CITY loaded the fuel, ammunition and other supplies needed for the trans-Pacific passage with the USS NEW JERSEY battle group.

The formation departed Subic Bay on August 1, 1983. An originally planned maintenance period at Guam was canceled, and the ships continued directly toward Hawaii. USS KANSAS CITY made a replenishment stop at Pearl Harbor from August 12 through August 15. A naval photograph dated August 12 documents a simultaneous underway replenishment involving USS KANSAS CITY, USS NEW JERSEY and USS BUCHANAN (DDG 14). The battle group continued toward Central America after completing its logistical preparations.

In late August 1983, USS KANSAS CITY supported the USS NEW JERSEY battle group during operations off Nicaragua and Honduras. The American naval presence was associated with the conflicts affecting Central America and the Reagan administration's regional security policy. USS KANSAS CITY maintained supplies for the battleship and its escorts while the group operated off the Central American coast. She detached briefly to refuel at Rodman Naval Station, Panama, from August 28 through August 29 before returning to the battle group for another week of operations.

USS KANSAS CITY began the return passage toward California on September 7, 1983. During September 13 and September 14, she transferred ammunition to USS FLINT. Her embarked helicopter detachment departed the ship near San Diego on September 16, and USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Alameda on September 17, completing approximately six months of overseas service.

After a comparatively short post-deployment leave period, USS KANSAS CITY began preparing for another maintenance availability. An extensive inspection program was conducted between late October and November 1983. The ship was underway from November 14 through November 17, replenishing the guided-missile frigate USS BROOKE (FFG 1) and the destroyer USS ELLIOT (DD 967) on November 16. On December 5, she loaded ammunition in San Francisco Bay and subsequently departed for San Diego. After a brief visit to Naval Air Station North Island on December 7, USS KANSAS CITY participated in Exercise Kernel Usher 84-1 from December 8 through December 12. She visited Long Beach from December 13 through December 15, where her replenishment winches were removed for overhaul, and returned to Oakland on December 17.

USS KANSAS CITY began a phased maintenance availability at Southwest Marine Ship Repair Facility in San Francisco on January 16, 1984. The ship entered dry dock at Todd Shipyard on February 6 and remained until February 26. The work included improvements to the engineering plant, repairs to replenishment winches, refurbishment of electronic equipment and the beginning of installation of the Phalanx close-in weapon system. USS KANSAS CITY completed the maintenance period on May 7, 1984, and returned to sea for machinery trials and engineering tests on May 10 and May 11.

Captain Bruce W. Churchill had relieved Captain Brown as commanding officer on January 26, 1984, during the early part of the maintenance period. Following completion of the work, USS KANSAS CITY resumed training and operational-readiness evaluations. Her aviation facilities underwent certification on May 18. She departed for southern California on May 21 to conduct her first replenishments since the availability and returned afterward to Alameda.

During the summer of 1984, USS KANSAS CITY supported local fleet exercises, conducted missile-system training and participated in engineering inspections. She also made another visit to Portland for the annual Rose Festival from June 7 through June 10. Later in June, she operated off southern California and conducted a consolidation with USNS KAWISHIWI (T-AO 146). She visited Naval Air Station North Island for approximately two weeks of training and subsequently proceeded to Bremerton, Washington, for weapons qualification work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard from July 13 through July 20. Further qualification exercises involving USS CAMDEN followed from July 21 through July 25.

During August and September 1984, USS KANSAS CITY continued readiness training, including engineering casualty-control exercises and inspection preparations. She held a dependents' cruise on August 24 and completed a training-readiness evaluation on September 8. From October 11 through October 12, she supported Battle Group Delta in the eastern Pacific. The ship then participated in San Francisco Fleet Week from October 13 through October 16.

On October 17, 1984, USS KANSAS CITY departed California with Battle Group Delta, centered on USS CONSTELLATION. She supported the formation during the first phase of FleetEx 85 in the Hawaiian operating areas. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Pearl Harbor on October 30 to replenish fuel and supplies. During this visit, the ship received unexpected orders to continue to the western Pacific. On October 29, 1984, the replenishment oiler USS ROANOKE (AOR 7) had experienced a steering casualty while departing Pearl Harbor and had grounded on a reef, spilling approximately 100,000 gallons of aviation fuel. USS ROANOKE was returned to port for damage assessment and repairs. USS KANSAS CITY was assigned to assume her sister ship's logistical commitments until USS ROANOKE could resume service.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Pearl Harbor on October 31, 1984, to support USS CARL VINSON and Battle Group Charlie. She returned briefly on November 2 and began loading cargo originally intended for USS ROANOKE. A helicopter detachment from the damaged replenishment oiler also transferred aboard USS KANSAS CITY. On November 6, 1984, USS KANSAS CITY departed Pearl Harbor for the second phase of FleetEx 85, supporting Battle Group Charlie during its passage across the Pacific. The exercise involved more than eighty ships and hundreds of aircraft and attracted Soviet surveillance. On November 13, the day USS KANSAS CITY entered the operational area of the Seventh Fleet, a Soviet Tu-95 Bear reconnaissance aircraft flew over the ship. She continued replenishing the battle group before detaching on November 16 for Guam.

USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Apra Harbor, Guam, on November 17, 1984, and completed an accelerated fuel and cargo loadout before departing approximately fifteen hours later. She rejoined the USS CARL VINSON battle group on November 19 and continued logistical operations until USS ROANOKE could resume her assignment.

Following repairs, USS ROANOKE rendezvoused with USS KANSAS CITY, and the two ships transferred the remaining deployment cargo. The transfer was completed in approximately eight hours, allowing USS ROANOKE to resume support of the battle group. USS KANSAS CITY subsequently visited Sasebo from December 6 through December 7 and began the return voyage to California on December 8. She arrived at Naval Supply Center Oakland on December 20, 1984, ending the unplanned deployment. During the assignment, USS KANSAS CITY had completed 123 underway replenishments and approximately 550 vertical replenishments involving 43 ships from four carrier battle groups.

In January 1985, USS KANSAS CITY resumed preparations for the Operational Propulsion Plant Re-Examination that had been repeatedly postponed during the previous year. She departed for the examination on January 29. On February 1, however, she received additional orders to support anti-submarine warfare operations. After replenishing the frigate USS BREWTON (FF 1086) and the destroyer USS KINKAID (DD 965) on February 3, USS KANSAS CITY returned to Alameda for maintenance involving Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity San Francisco and the repair ship USS HECTOR (AR 7).

USS KANSAS CITY departed for San Diego on March 2, 1985, and remained at Naval Air Station North Island from March 3 through March 15 for training and combat systems evaluations. She departed for Hawaii on March 16 with a helicopter detachment embarked and arrived at Pearl Harbor on March 22. After a three-day stop, she departed on March 25 for Composite Training Unit Exercise 85-3. During the exercise, USS KANSAS CITY conducted training with the rescue and salvage ship USS BRUNSWICK (ATS 3), participated in weapons and anti-submarine warfare exercises and completed underway replenishments.

On March 29, 1985, USS KANSAS CITY visited Lahaina, Maui, for a weekend recreational stop. She returned to sea on April 1 for further damage-control and engineering training. After another brief visit to Pearl Harbor on April 5, she continued eastward and arrived at Oakland on April 12. Preparations for her next overseas deployment included maintenance alongside the destroyer tender USS SAMUEL GOMPERS (AD 37), fuel loading and ammunition handling.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Alameda on May 15, 1985, for another deployment to the western Pacific and Indian Ocean. The following day, she joined the guided-missile frigates USS BROOKE and USS REID (FFG 30) for the westward passage. The formation visited Pearl Harbor from May 22 through May 24 and continued toward Guam. On May 31, USS KANSAS CITY encountered a Soviet intelligence-collection vessel and launched a helicopter to photograph the ship.

USS KANSAS CITY briefly visited Apra Harbor, Guam, on June 5, 1985, before proceeding to the Philippines. She arrived at Subic Bay on June 10 and remained until June 23 for fuel and cargo loading, maintenance and preparations for Indian Ocean operations. USS KANSAS CITY departed Subic Bay on June 24, 1985, with Battle Group Alfa, centered on USS MIDWAY. Other participating vessels included USS ENGLAND, the guided-missile cruiser USS REEVES (CG 24), the guided-missile destroyers USS TOWERS (DDG 9) and USS COCHRANE (DDG 21), the destroyer USS OLDENDORF (DD 972), the frigates USS KNOX (FF 1052) and USS KIRK, the combat stores ship USS SAN JOSE (AFS 7), and the Military Sealift Command ships USNS MISPILLION (T-AO 105) and USNS KILAUEA.

The battle group entered the northern Arabian Sea on July 3, 1985, and conducted turnover exercises with the departing USS CONSTELLATION battle group on July 6 and July 7. USS KANSAS CITY subsequently remained with the USS MIDWAY formation, providing fuel, ammunition and provisions during operations in the Gulf of Oman and northern Arabian Sea. The presence of American carrier forces in the region was influenced by the continuing Iran-Iraq War, instability in the Persian Gulf and the Soviet military presence in Afghanistan.

On August 2, 1985, USS KANSAS CITY detached temporarily from the battle group to rendezvous with USS TOWERS, which was returning from Diego Garcia. She replenished the destroyer on August 3 before proceeding toward Diego Garcia herself. USS KANSAS CITY visited the island from August 7 through August 8, loading supplies and aircraft engines destined for USS MIDWAY. Captain Philip S. Anselmo, who was scheduled to assume command, embarked during the Diego Garcia visit. USS KANSAS CITY subsequently returned to the battle group and delivered the supplies. Captain Anselmo relieved Captain Churchill during an underway change of command ceremony off Oman on August 16, 1985.

On August 17, 1985, USS KANSAS CITY participated in exercises with Royal Navy vessels, including HMS EXETER (D 89), HMS CHARYBDIS (F 75) and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA BAYLEAF (A 109). The exercises included coordinated shiphandling and replenishment procedures between American and British naval forces.

On August 23, 1985, the battle group proceeded toward Diego Garcia. USS KANSAS CITY loaded a portable telemetry system there on August 29 to support weapons exercises. On August 31, the equipment was used during missile exercises involving USS REEVES, USS COCHRANE and USS TOWERS. The system was subsequently returned to Diego Garcia by helicopter.

On September 3, 1985, USS KANSAS CITY rendezvoused with USS HORNE (CG 30) and USS FOX of the USS KITTY HAWK battle group for exercises involving helicopter operations and rules of engagement in the northern Arabian Sea. The carrier battle groups completed turnover the following day, after which USS MIDWAY and her escorts began the return passage toward Australia. USS KANSAS CITY visited Fremantle from September 13 through September 18, 1985. After departing on September 19, she supported Exercise Valiant Usher, an amphibious training operation conducted off Western Australia through September 22. The exercise involved coordination between amphibious vessels, surface combatants and supporting units. USS KANSAS CITY provided underway replenishment services to sustain the participating ships.

USS KANSAS CITY detached from the battle group on September 30, 1985, and arrived at Subic Bay for maintenance and cargo adjustments. She departed on October 5 for the return voyage across the Pacific. She visited Pearl Harbor on October 18 to load fuel and supplies and embarked relatives of crew members for the final passage. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Naval Supply Center Oakland on October 26, completing the deployment.

During November 1985, USS KANSAS CITY underwent maintenance alongside USS SAMUEL GOMPERS and facilities of Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity San Francisco. The work included hull cleaning and routine engineering repairs. She returned to sea on December 2 for replenishment support and training in the southern California operating areas.

In early 1986, USS KANSAS CITY continued Pacific Fleet support operations, completing engineering training, inspections and readiness evaluations. On May 19, she departed with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 11 Detachment 4 embarked to support Anti-Submarine Warfare Operations 86-4. The exercise continued through June 3 and involved the guided-missile frigate USS CURTS (FFG 38), the destroyers USS HEWITT (DD 966) and USS KINKAID, and the frigates USS DOWNES (FF 1070), USS FANNING (FF 1076) and USS ALBERT DAVID (FF 1050). USS KANSAS CITY provided fuel and other supplies during the exercise.

She subsequently visited Portland for the Rose Festival from June 4 through June 9, 1986, and returned to Oakland on June 12. USS KANSAS CITY departed again on June 19 for the northern Pacific to participate in the amphibious exercise Kernel Potlatch during July. The exercise involved naval and amphibious operations in Alaskan and Canadian waters, with the participating forces practicing combined operations under northern Pacific conditions. During this deployment, USS KANSAS CITY visited Anchorage, Alaska, from July 10 through July 13, 1986. She subsequently called at Prince Rupert, British Columbia, from July 18 through July 19, Esquimalt from July 22 through July 23 and Vancouver from July 24 through July 27. USS KANSAS CITY returned to Alameda on July 31 and began a planned restricted availability.

During the remainder of 1986, USS KANSAS CITY operated mainly in the San Francisco Bay area, with occasional short voyages for training and engineering evaluations. From October 6 through October 14, she completed combat systems qualification trials. Her Operational Propulsion Plant Re-Examination followed from November 4 through November 6, and a Board of Inspection and Survey assessment was conducted from November 17 through November 21. The ship remained at Alameda through the end of the year.

USS KANSAS CITY resumed operations on January 3, 1987, beginning a three-week period of replenishment support for Fleet Training Group San Diego. Further evaluations followed during February. In March, the ship supported training operations involving USS RANGER from March 4 through March 5 and completed refresher training from March 8 through March 13. She returned to Oakland and conducted a dependents' cruise on March 24.

Captain Ernest E. Christensen Jr. relieved Captain Anselmo as commanding officer on April 3, 1987. USS KANSAS CITY subsequently underwent another training availability at San Diego from April 27 through May 8. She returned to Oakland for inspections and engineering tests during May and June. From June 20 through June 25, the ship hosted the Mexican sail training vessel ARM CUAUHTEMOC (BE 01) during its visit to the San Francisco Bay area.

USS KANSAS CITY unexpectedly received orders to prepare for another deployment during the summer of 1987. The assignment was connected with the expanding American naval presence in the Persian Gulf, where attacks on commercial shipping during the Iran-Iraq War had led to the establishment of Operation Earnest Will. Under this operation, Kuwaiti tankers registered under the American flag were escorted by United States warships through threatened waters. The operation required a substantial supporting force of fuel and ammunition ships.

From July 13 through July 16, 1987, USS KANSAS CITY participated in ReadiEx with Battle Group Sierra, centered on the battleship USS MISSOURI (BB 63). Other ships associated with the formation included USS LONG BEACH, the guided-missile cruiser USS BUNKER HILL (CG 52), the destroyer USS LEFTWICH (DD 984), USS CURTS and USS HOEL. The exercise provided final operational training before the formation's passage toward the western Pacific and Indian Ocean.

USS KANSAS CITY loaded fuel, ammunition and supplies at Alameda on July 20 and July 21, 1987, and departed on July 25 to join the battle group. The ships visited Pearl Harbor from July 31 through August 1 before continuing toward Southeast Asia. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Subic Bay on August 16 and began loading ammunition and other supplies for the Indian Ocean assignment. USS KANSAS CITY departed Subic Bay independently on August 21, 1987, and conducted live firing exercises with her Phalanx and Sea Sparrow defensive systems. She rejoined Battle Group Sierra on August 24 and continued westward into the Indian Ocean.

By September 1987, USS KANSAS CITY and Battle Group Sierra had reached the northern Arabian Sea, where they joined Battle Group Echo, centered on USS RANGER. The combined force operated under Joint Task Force Middle East. During the following twelve weeks, USS KANSAS CITY provided supplies to the nineteen-ship formation in the northern Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. The naval presence was associated with the protection of commercial shipping during the Iran-Iraq War. Both Iran and Iraq had attacked tankers and other merchant vessels, while naval mines and threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz complicated operations. American naval forces maintained patrols, provided escort services and prepared to respond to attacks. USS KANSAS CITY's responsibility was to maintain the fuel, ammunition and other supplies required by the operating ships.

On September 13, 1987, Secretary of the Navy James H. Webb Jr. visited USS KANSAS CITY during the deployment. Ten days later, on September 23, a defective valve caused a substantial fuel spill in the ship's pumproom. The crew contained the spill and dealt with the resulting engineering and safety requirements while the ship continued supporting the deployed naval force. The incident occurred during an extended period of replenishment operations in the northern Indian Ocean.

During October 1987, USS KANSAS CITY continued supporting American naval forces operating near the Strait of Hormuz and in the Persian Gulf. On October 18, the ship approached to within approximately 35 miles of the Iranian coast. The following day, American surface combatants conducted Operation Nimble Archer in response to an Iranian missile attack against the reflagged tanker SEA ISLE CITY. The operation involved attacks against Iranian offshore oil platforms used by Iranian military forces. Ships participating in the surface action included USS HOEL, USS LEFTWICH, the destroyer USS JOHN YOUNG (DD 973), and the guided-missile destroyer USS KIDD (DDG 993). On October 21, 1987, USS KANSAS CITY replenished ships of the surface action group that had participated in Operation Nimble Archer, transferring fuel and ammunition required for continued operations.

During the deployment, USS KANSAS CITY used Masirah Island, Oman, as an aviation logistics point. Her embarked helicopters transported cargo between the island and the ship, allowing additional supplies to be received without frequent departures from the operating area. She also obtained fuel and provisions, including fresh food, at Muscat, Oman.

Photographic documentation from November 1987 records USS KANSAS CITY replenishing the guided-missile frigate USS THACH (FFG 43) in the Persian Gulf. Another photograph shows USS LONG BEACH and USS LEFTWICH receiving supplies alongside USS KANSAS CITY during a replenishment evolution. These operations formed part of the sustained logistical support provided to American surface forces during Operation Earnest Will. During one particularly demanding phase of the deployment, USS KANSAS CITY remained engaged in sustained operations for approximately 110 consecutive days. During this period, the ship conducted 211 underway replenishments and 281 vertical replenishments. These figures reflected the extensive logistical requirements of the American naval presence in the Persian Gulf and northern Arabian Sea, where deployed ships remained at sea for prolonged periods.

On November 24, 1987, USS KANSAS CITY conducted a vertical replenishment with the guided-missile destroyer USS CHANDLER (DDG 996) before rejoining Battle Group Sierra for the homeward passage. She stopped at Diego Garcia on November 30 for fuel and cargo and departed the following day to rendezvous with the battle group. USS KANSAS CITY subsequently proceeded toward Australia and visited Fremantle from December 9 through December 16, 1987. She continued eastward to Sydney, where she remained from December 22 through December 29 for the Christmas holiday. The battle group departed Sydney on December 29 and continued toward Hawaii. On January 5, 1988, USS KANSAS CITY crossed the equator at the International Date Line, and the crew conducted a Golden Shellback ceremony.

USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Pearl Harbor on January 10, 1988, and embarked relatives of crew members for the final passage to California. She departed with the battle group on January 12 and detached on January 16. Two days later, she rendezvoused with USS MOUNT HOOD to transfer ammunition. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Naval Supply Center Oakland on January 19, ending approximately six months of overseas operations.

Following post-deployment leave and upkeep, USS KANSAS CITY resumed training in February 1988. During March, she underwent engineering inspections and conducted underway drills in preparation for continued Pacific Fleet support duties. On March 28, she departed with USS SHASTA and USS KISKA for exercises off southern California.

On March 29, 1988, USS KANSAS CITY experienced an engineering casualty during training. The ship's emergency diesel generator failed, resulting in a loss of electrical power. USS KISKA subsequently took USS KANSAS CITY under tow and proceeded toward Long Beach Naval Shipyard. During the early hours of March 30, however, the crew restored the ship's electrical power, allowing her to resume independent operations. The towing connection was released, and the participating ships continued their training schedule.

During May and June 1988, USS KANSAS CITY supported further exercises in southern California and northern Pacific waters. She replenished USS MISSOURI and the aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) during operations from May 17 through May 20. In early June, she again visited Portland for the annual Rose Festival and also participated in Exercise Behavior Criterion. The ship subsequently conducted further replenishment duties off California.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Alameda on July 5, 1988, for Rimpac 88, the large multinational naval exercise held in the Hawaiian operating areas. The exercise included American, Australian, Canadian and Japanese naval forces and was intended to improve the coordination of their operations. USS KANSAS CITY rendezvoused with the destroyers USS CUSHING (DD 985) and USS FLETCHER (DD 992) and the guided-missile frigate USS REUBEN JAMES (FFG 57) on July 7, replenishing all three vessels before continuing toward the exercise area.

On July 8, 1988, USS KANSAS CITY joined Task Group 337, associated with the USS NIMITZ battle group. Beginning on July 10, she conducted replenishment operations with ships participating in Rimpac, including vessels of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. On July 17, she rendezvoused with USS JOHN YOUNG for drone recovery operations connected with naval training.

USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Pearl Harbor on July 20, 1988, and remained until July 26. She subsequently proceeded to support additional operations associated with Chief of Naval Operations Project K-310. After detaching from the exercise formation on July 30, she returned to San Francisco on August 1.

During August and September 1988, USS KANSAS CITY conducted further local operations and maintenance, including a training availability at San Diego from August 17 through September 6. On October 14, she entered Southwest Marine Shipyard in San Francisco for a phased maintenance availability. Three days later, she entered floating dry dock No. 2 and remained there until November 23. The shipyard work continued into the following year and concluded with successful sea trials on February 9 and February 10, 1989.

Captain Leo M. Pivonka relieved Captain Christensen as commanding officer on January 6, 1989, while USS KANSAS CITY was undergoing maintenance. After completion of the availability, the ship resumed Pacific Fleet operations. On May 10, she departed Alameda for San Diego, arriving on May 12 for a training period. She remained at Naval Air Station North Island until May 30 and then returned to sea to replenish ships of Battle Group Delta, centered on USS CONSTELLATION, during their return from the western Pacific. On June 1, the replenishment oiler conducted firing exercises with her Phalanx and Sea Sparrow systems.

USS KANSAS CITY returned to Oakland on June 4, 1989, but departed again two days later to support another group of ships. She had been assigned to replace USS FLINT, which was experiencing machinery problems, during a naval visit to the Portland Rose Festival. The participating vessels included USS ENGLAND, the guided-missile frigates USS COPELAND (FFG 25) and USS GARY (FFG 51), and the frigates USS BARBEY, USS GRAY (FF 1054), USS HEPBURN (FF 1055) and USS ALBERT DAVID.

The ships visited Portland from June 8 through June 13, 1989. USS KANSAS CITY stopped at Astoria, Oregon, before proceeding upriver, embarking approximately 300 civilian guests for the passage along the Columbia River. During the festival, the ship hosted a reception for Vice Admiral James F. Dorsey Jr., Commander Third Fleet, on June 10. Additional civilian guests embarked for the return passage to Astoria. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Alameda on June 15 and resumed local operations.

On July 17, 1989, USS KANSAS CITY departed Alameda for another assignment and conducted eight burials at sea. The following day, she received fuel from USNS KAWISHIWI and on July 19 rendezvoused with USS BRONSTEIN for a special communications project. The ships proceeded southward along the Mexican coast. USS KANSAS CITY visited Mazatlan from July 22 through July 25, 1989, embarking midshipmen for summer training. During the port call, members of the crew delivered donated food, clothing and toys to two local orphanages. The ships subsequently proceeded toward equatorial waters for testing associated with extremely high frequency satellite communications. USS KANSAS CITY crossed the equator on July 29 and conducted the customary initiation ceremony.

During the return passage, USS KANSAS CITY visited Rodman Naval Station, Panama, from August 7 through August 11 and Acapulco, Mexico, from August 16 through August 21. The embarked midshipmen disembarked during the Acapulco visit. USS KANSAS CITY returned to Naval Supply Center Oakland on August 26.

On September 16, 1989, USS KANSAS CITY departed California with a helicopter detachment embarked to participate in PacEx 89. The exercise involved four American carrier battle groups and numerous supporting vessels operating over a large area of the northern Pacific and Bering Sea, including waters near the Aleutian Islands. The operation tested the ability of naval forces to coordinate carrier aviation, surface warfare, anti-submarine operations and logistics during a large-scale deployment. USS KANSAS CITY supported Battle Group Romeo, centered on USS NEW JERSEY and USS CONSTELLATION. During more than three weeks of exercise operations, she conducted repeated underway replenishments, supporting the participating ships as they operated in the northern Pacific. The training also included shipboard logistics and endurance evaluations, including a trial in which the crew relied on combat rations for extended periods.

USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Esquimalt, British Columbia, on October 11, 1989, and embarked guests for a Tiger Cruise beginning on October 16. During the final passage toward California, the San Francisco Bay area was struck by the Loma Prieta earthquake on October 17. The magnitude 6.9 earthquake caused extensive damage, including the collapse of part of Interstate 880 in Oakland and damage to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Naval Supply Center Oakland on October 18, 1989, and subsequently shifted to San Francisco Harbor with her helicopters available for potential emergency assistance. Members of the crew participated in relief and recovery activities ashore, including transporting food for the Salvation Army and assisting with building inspections. These activities formed part of the emergency response by military and civilian organizations following the earthquake.

USS KANSAS CITY resumed normal fleet operations during November 1989. On November 19, she conducted a guest cruise in San Francisco Bay, and the following day she replenished three Canadian naval vessels. On December 9, she departed for southern California to support underway replenishment training. On December 12, she conducted a Sea Sparrow missile exercise that was unsuccessful because the fire-control radar did not acquire the target. USS KANSAS CITY returned to Alameda on December 14 for the year-end holiday period.

During January 1990, USS KANSAS CITY participated in law-enforcement support operations off southern California, departing on January 17 and returning to Alameda on February 1. The operations formed part of the Navy's support for maritime law-enforcement activities. In February, the ship began a three-month planned maintenance availability at Alameda. Work included communications improvements, installation of updated teletype equipment and modifications to the NATO Sea Sparrow missile system. USS KANSAS CITY completed the availability on May 14, 1990, and resumed operational testing, including electronic warfare evaluations involving the SLQ-32 system. She conducted an independent steaming exercise from June 4 through June 6 and departed for southern California again on June 19 for replenishment training and aviation certification. Additional work during this period included improvements to crew recreation and living spaces. She returned to Alameda on June 28 and completed a training-readiness evaluation at the end of the month.

During July and August 1990, USS KANSAS CITY continued preparing for another overseas deployment. The training schedule included refresher training from July 9 through July 27, engineering examinations and an inspection by the Board of Inspection and Survey from August 13 through August 17. The ship subsequently began operating with Battle Group Echo, centered on USS RANGER.

The international situation changed significantly on August 2, 1990, when Iraq invaded Kuwait. The United Nations condemned the invasion and imposed economic sanctions against Iraq, while the United States and other countries began deploying military forces to Southwest Asia under Operation Desert Shield. Naval forces were assigned to enforce sanctions, protect shipping and prepare for possible military operations. These developments ultimately affected the deployment schedule of USS KANSAS CITY and the USS RANGER battle group.

From September 26 through October 5, 1990, USS KANSAS CITY participated in a Composite Training Unit Exercise with the battle group. The formation subsequently completed ReadiEx training from October 9 through October 17 and again from November 8 through November 17. Following the final exercise, USS KANSAS CITY returned to Alameda for fuel and cargo loading and preparations for an accelerated overseas deployment.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Alameda on December 8, 1990, with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 11 Detachment 7 embarked. She joined Battle Group Echo and proceeded westward across the Pacific. The formation was directed toward Southwest Asia because Iraq had not withdrawn from Kuwait and the United Nations had established January 15, 1991, as the deadline for compliance with its resolutions. USS KANSAS CITY supported the battle group during the passage and arrived at Subic Bay on December 29 to load additional fuel, ammunition and supplies.

After completing the necessary preparations, USS KANSAS CITY departed the Philippines and continued toward the northern Indian Ocean. On January 14, 1991, while conducting an underway replenishment with the destroyer USS HARRY W. HILL (DD 986), the two ships collided after the destroyer experienced an engineering casualty. USS KANSAS CITY sustained two holes below the waterline in cargo fuel tanks, damage to a bulwark and additional damage to her superstructure. USS HARRY W. HILL suffered damage to its sonar dome. Both ships remained afloat, although repairs were required. USS HARRY W. HILL subsequently underwent extensive repairs at Subic Bay, while USS KANSAS CITY received temporary repairs in the United Arab Emirates and continued her assignment.

USS KANSAS CITY anchored at Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates on January 15, 1991, and continued toward the Strait of Hormuz the following day. On January 17, multinational coalition forces launched Operation Desert Storm after Iraq failed to withdraw from Kuwait. The operation began with extensive air attacks against Iraqi military targets. USS KANSAS CITY transited the Strait of Hormuz on the same day and entered the Persian Gulf, where American and coalition naval forces were supporting the air campaign and preparing for possible ground operations.

During the following weeks, USS KANSAS CITY conducted frequent underway replenishments and helicopter-delivered supply operations in support of the naval forces operating in the Persian Gulf. She visited Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, from January 22 through January 23 to load supplies before returning to sea. In addition to her normal replenishment duties, USS KANSAS CITY served as a principal vertical delivery logistics hub for the four-carrier force operating in the Persian Gulf. Her helicopters transferred passengers, mail, spare parts and other cargo between ships and supporting facilities, while her replenishment stations delivered fuel and ammunition directly to receiving vessels. The system allowed naval formations to remain on station during the air campaign and subsequent ground offensive.

Captain William E. Franson relieved Captain Pivonka as commanding officer on February 6, 1991, during the deployment. USS KANSAS CITY continued providing logistical support throughout February. On February 22, one of the ship's embarked CH-46 helicopters experienced an engine flameout and made an emergency landing. The incident temporarily affected helicopter operations.

On February 27, 1991, USS KANSAS CITY anchored at the Sitra explosive anchorage in Bahrain to load ammunition. The following day, President George H. W. Bush announced a ceasefire after coalition ground forces had expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Although the principal combat phase ended, American naval forces remained in the region to support postwar operations, maintain security and assist in the implementation of the ceasefire arrangements.

USS KANSAS CITY continued serving Battle Group Echo in the Persian Gulf during March and April 1991. She arrived at Jebel Ali on March 6, where divers examined the hull damage sustained during the January collision with USS HARRY W. HILL. The inspection allowed the ship to continue operating while arrangements were made for more extensive repairs after her return to the United States. During the remainder of the deployment, USS KANSAS CITY supported naval operations and the redistribution of personnel and supplies as American forces began preparing for redeployment. By the conclusion of the cruise, the ship had transferred approximately 78 million gallons of fuel, transported 1,124 passengers, delivered 98 tons of mail and 100 tons of other cargo, conducted 213 alongside replenishments and supported more than 5,700 helicopter flight-deck evolutions. USS KANSAS CITY and her embarked helicopter detachment received a Navy Unit Commendation for their service during Operation Desert Storm.

USS KANSAS CITY began the homeward passage in April 1991. Rear Admiral Ronald J. Zlatoper, Commander Carrier Group Seven, visited the ship on April 25. On April 27, she crossed the equator and conducted a crossing-the-line ceremony involving 191 first-time participants. USS KANSAS CITY visited Pattaya, Thailand, from April 29 through May 5, 1991, and Hong Kong from May 8 through May 13. She subsequently proceeded to Subic Bay, where she remained from May 15 through May 19. The ship continued across the Pacific and made an overnight stop at Pearl Harbor at the end of May to embark family members for the final passage to California.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Pearl Harbor with Battle Group Echo on June 1, 1991. On June 3, the formation conducted a sea-power demonstration involving aircraft and surface ships. USS KANSAS CITY continued replenishment operations during the passage before detaching from the battle group on June 6. Her embarked helicopter detachment also departed that day. She arrived at Alameda on June 8, completing six months of overseas service.

Following post-deployment leave and upkeep, USS KANSAS CITY resumed training and maintenance in July 1991. On July 12, the ship received the Navy Battle Efficiency Award for 1990, together with several departmental awards and recognition for safety performance. She conducted readiness assessments later in July and supported Exercise Varsity Player from August 5 through August 10. Additional duties included replenishment qualification work with USNS JOHN ERICSSON (T-AO 194) and participation in homecoming activities for the nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser USS TEXAS (CGN 39).

In September 1991, USS KANSAS CITY conducted further local operations and visited Vancouver, British Columbia, from September 5 through September 10. During the return passage, she replenished ships of Battle Group Delta, including USS MIDWAY during one of the carrier's final operational periods before decommissioning. USS KANSAS CITY returned to Oakland on September 13.

On October 9, 1991, USS KANSAS CITY entered dry dock at Southwest Marine Shipyard in San Francisco for repairs to the underwater hull and fuel tanks damaged during the January collision. The work continued for approximately four weeks. She returned to Naval Air Station Alameda on November 2 and subsequently conducted local operations before entering the year-end leave and maintenance period.

USS KANSAS CITY returned to Southwest Marine Shipyard on January 6, 1992, for a three-month planned maintenance availability. The work involved the shipyard, Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity San Francisco and USS SAMUEL GOMPERS. Repairs and modifications included installation of a replacement NATO Sea Sparrow missile system, combat systems evaluations, refurbishment of crew living spaces, removal of lead and asbestos from selected areas and maintenance of replenishment equipment. During the availability, USS KANSAS CITY and USS SHASTA hosted the Canadian destroyer escorts HMCS QU'APPELLE (DDE 264) and HMCS KOOTENAY (DDE 258) during a visit to San Francisco on March 6, 1992. USS KANSAS CITY completed the maintenance period and successfully conducted sea trials on April 9.

From April 20 through April 23, 1992, USS KANSAS CITY conducted engineering trials and refresher training. She subsequently participated in replenishment qualification exercises with USS SHASTA from May 11 through May 22. On June 3, she departed for San Diego, arriving at Naval Air Station North Island on June 5 for a three-week training availability. Further operational-readiness evaluations followed during July and August.

Captain Michael D. Malone relieved Captain Franson as commanding officer on August 11, 1992. USS KANSAS CITY departed Alameda on August 13 for further training off southern California. During operations near Point Loma, the ship crossed fishing gear belonging to a small vessel and damaged fishing nets. The incident was investigated as part of the ship's navigation and operational procedures. USS KANSAS CITY returned to Oakland on September 4.

On September 19, 1992, USS KANSAS CITY conducted a dependents' cruise around San Francisco Bay. She subsequently served as duty replenishment oiler in the northern and southern California operating areas from September 21 through October 4, completing eighteen underway replenishments for Pacific Fleet ships. USS KANSAS CITY departed again on October 22, 1992, for exercises with the USS NIMITZ battle group. She embarked Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 11 Detachment 7 at Naval Air Station North Island and participated in Composite Training Unit Exercise 93-3 and FleetEx 93-1A. These exercises formed part of the final preparation of the battle group for another deployment to Southwest Asia.

On November 8, 1992, while USS KANSAS CITY was operating approximately 460 miles west of San Diego, one of her embarked CH-46 helicopters experienced a serious transmission problem. The helicopter, Sideflare 52, attempted to return to the ship, but falling transmission oil pressure forced the crew to make an emergency water landing. Three members of the crew evacuated into a life raft while the pilot attempted to continue toward the ship. The aircraft was ultimately abandoned and sank. A second helicopter from USS KANSAS CITY recovered all four personnel. The accident resulted in the loss of the helicopter but no fatalities.

USS KANSAS CITY returned to Oakland on November 11, 1992, and underwent maintenance for the remainder of the month. She departed for San Diego again on December 3 and participated in the second phase of FleetEx with the USS NIMITZ battle group beginning on December 7. During the exercise, USS KANSAS CITY completed seventeen underway replenishments and a vertical replenishment with the nuclear-powered submarine USS BIRMINGHAM (SSN 695). Her helicopter detachment departed on December 18, and the ship returned to Alameda on December 19 for the year-end maintenance and leave period.

During January 1993, USS KANSAS CITY loaded fuel, ammunition and other supplies for another deployment to the Persian Gulf. Her preparations included additional training and inspections, while Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 11 Detachment 9 embarked on January 28. USS KANSAS CITY departed Alameda on February 1, 1993, and began the westward passage toward Hawaii. The initial transit was affected by severe weather, including gale-force winds and seas reaching approximately 28 feet. The ship sustained storm damage, including serious damage to her port-side Phalanx close-in weapon system. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Pearl Harbor on February 8 and immediately began repairs. She departed on February 10 and rendezvoused with the USS NIMITZ battle group north of Hawaii. During the continued passage westward, she supplied the participating vessels and conducted exercises and operational-readiness training. Rear Admiral Robert P. Hickey Jr., Commander Carrier Group Seven, visited USS KANSAS CITY on February 13.

USS KANSAS CITY visited Hong Kong from February 26 through March 2, 1993. During the visit, USS BIRMINGHAM moored alongside her. She subsequently proceeded to Singapore, where she remained from March 6 through March 11 before continuing toward the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. The USS NIMITZ battle group reached the Gulf of Oman on March 18, 1993, and completed turnover with the outgoing USS KITTY HAWK battle group. USS KANSAS CITY conducted a Sea Sparrow missile firing exercise on March 20, successfully striking a towed target. During the early hours of March 21, she transited the Strait of Hormuz with the battle group and entered the Persian Gulf.

The deployment took place during Operation Southern Watch, which had begun in August 1992 to enforce the no-fly zone established over southern Iraq following the Persian Gulf War. American and coalition forces also continued enforcing United Nations sanctions against Iraq. USS NIMITZ and her escorts conducted operations associated with these missions, while USS KANSAS CITY provided logistical support to the deployed naval forces. During the deployment, USS KANSAS CITY served as Afloat Logistics Coordinator for American surface naval forces operating within United States Central Command. Her responsibilities included coordinating the employment of supporting supply ships, including USS SHASTA, the fleet oilers USNS PECOS (T-AO 197) and USNS WALTER S. DIEHL (T-AO 193), and the combat stores ship USNS SPICA (T-AFS 9). The coordination arrangements involved the redistribution of fuel, ammunition, provisions and other cargo among the deployed ships.

USS KANSAS CITY used Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates as a principal operating base, arriving there for the first time on March 24, 1993. Her embarked helicopters also conducted logistical flights to Fujairah, where supplies arriving by air or other transportation could be transferred to the ship. After a short period of replenishment operations in the Persian Gulf, USS KANSAS CITY returned to Jebel Ali on March 31, 1993, to prepare for a special assignment. She loaded supplies and departed on April 7, leaving the Persian Gulf to proceed toward East Africa.

USS KANSAS CITY had been assigned to support the amphibious ready group centered on USS WASP (LHD 1), which was participating in Operation Restore Hope off Somalia. The operation had begun in December 1992 in response to widespread famine, the collapse of central government authority and violence that was preventing the distribution of humanitarian assistance. American and other international forces were deployed to secure relief operations and support the delivery of food and medical supplies.

On April 12, 1993, USS KANSAS CITY conducted underway and vertical replenishment operations with the amphibious force near Kismayo, Somalia. The receiving vessels included USS WASP, the amphibious transport dock USS NASHVILLE (LPD 13), the amphibious cargo ship USS EL PASO (LKA 117), the tank landing ship USS BARNSTABLE COUNTY (LST 1197), and the Australian heavy landing ship HMAS TOBRUK (L 50). The replenishment operations supported the continued presence of the amphibious force off Somalia during the humanitarian mission.

USS KANSAS CITY departed the area following completion of the replenishment assignment and crossed the equator on April 13, 1993, when 217 crew members participated in the traditional crossing-the-line ceremony. The ship subsequently returned toward the Persian Gulf, entering the operating area on April 17 and arriving at Jebel Ali the following day.

USS KANSAS CITY remained at Jebel Ali for approximately one week to adjust fuel and cargo loads before departing on April 24, 1993, for further replenishment operations in the Gulf. She returned to Jebel Ali periodically as supplies were consumed. During a port period from May 4 through May 13, members of the crew participated in community relations activities in Dubai.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Jebel Ali on May 13, 1993, but experienced a machinery problem involving her main condenser and was forced to return to port. Repairs were completed in time for her to depart again on May 18. She proceeded to Bahrain, where members of the crew participated in another community assistance project on May 20. The ship departed Bahrain on May 23 and proceeded through the Strait of Hormuz to Muscat, Oman, where she remained from May 25 through May 30. Following the Muscat visit, USS KANSAS CITY resumed support for the naval forces operating in the Persian Gulf. She continued coordinating fuel and cargo deliveries to American surface ships and maintaining logistical support for the USS NIMITZ battle group during Operation Southern Watch.

USS KANSAS CITY departed the Persian Gulf for the final time on June 18, 1993, beginning the return voyage across the Indian Ocean and Pacific. She visited Phuket, Thailand, from June 27 through June 30 and Singapore from July 1 through July 7. She continued eastward and crossed the International Date Line on July 18. USS KANSAS CITY reached Pearl Harbor on July 21, 1993, and embarked sixty relatives of crew members for the final passage to California. The battle group conducted exercises and demonstrations during the voyage, allowing the embarked guests to observe aspects of naval operations at sea. USS KANSAS CITY arrived at Alameda on July 30, completing almost six months of deployment.

Following a post-deployment leave period during August 1993, USS KANSAS CITY returned to training and fleet-support operations. She departed for San Diego on September 14 and arrived at Naval Air Station North Island on September 17. During the return passage, she conducted an underway replenishment with USNS GUADALUPE (T-AO 200) and firing exercises with her Phalanx system before arriving at Alameda on September 22.

During October 1993, USS KANSAS CITY completed readiness inspections and supported the homecoming of USS SAMUEL GOMPERS on October 7. She departed again on October 14 to serve as duty replenishment oiler for the southern California operating areas through October 22. A training availability at Naval Air Station North Island followed from October 25 through November 8. On November 15, 1993, USS KANSAS CITY departed to support replenishment training for the fleet oiler USS CIMARRON (AO 177). The training was interrupted when USS CIMARRON experienced an engineering problem, but the ships subsequently resumed operations and completed qualification work on November 19.

USS KANSAS CITY departed again on November 30, 1993, for a visit to British Columbia. She arrived at Esquimalt on December 3 and remained until December 7. On December 8, she operated in Nanoose Bay as a torpedo-tracking platform for a special Chief of Naval Operations project. Heavy weather subsequently forced the ship to divert toward Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. She resumed the return passage on December 11 and arrived at Alameda on December 13. USS KANSAS CITY received the Navy Battle Efficiency Award for 1993, together with several departmental awards.

USS KANSAS CITY began her final year of commissioned service with another period of fleet-support operations in southern California. She departed Alameda on January 13, 1994, but a lubricating oil pressure problem forced her to return to port. After repairs, she departed again later the same day and arrived at Naval Air Station North Island on January 14. From January 18 through January 20, USS KANSAS CITY completed six underway replenishments with ships undergoing training. She also replenished the guided-missile frigate USS MAHLON S. TISDALE (FFG 27) during the return passage to Alameda, arriving on January 22.

During February and March 1994, USS KANSAS CITY underwent maintenance and prepared for another inspection by the Board of Inspection and Survey. She departed for preparatory operations on March 2, but a problem involving a bearing in her No. 1 main engine forced her to return the following day. Following repairs, she conducted a full-power machinery trial on March 22 and March 23 and subsequently completed the inspection.

USS KANSAS CITY departed Alameda on April 18, 1994, for another assignment as duty replenishment oiler in the southern California operating areas. She completed this service on April 28 and proceeded to Mazatlan, Mexico, for a port visit from May 3 through May 9. The visit coincided with the Cinco de Mayo holiday. USS KANSAS CITY returned to Alameda on May 13 and conducted a dependents' cruise on May 14. During the remainder of May 1994, USS KANSAS CITY supported replenishment qualification training for USS SHASTA. From June 6 through June 17, she performed similar duties for USNS YUKON (T-AO 202). On June 15, while operating off Monterey Bay during USNS YUKON's qualification training, USS KANSAS CITY participated in a search-and-rescue operation involving a capsized motorboat.

On June 16, 1994, USS KANSAS CITY conducted her final underway replenishment, supplying the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72). The operation concluded her regular operational replenishment activities after approximately twenty-four years of commissioned service. USS KANSAS CITY subsequently visited San Diego and departed Naval Air Station North Island on June 20, 1994, for her final passage to Alameda. On June 21, she conducted a special Chief of Naval Operations project off Monterey Bay before continuing northward. She arrived at Alameda on June 23, completing her final underway period as a commissioned naval vessel.

Following her return, preparations began for deactivation and decommissioning. Equipment and stores were removed or secured, and the ship underwent the administrative and technical procedures necessary for transfer to inactive status. Captain Malone was relieved by Captain Philip O. Boyer on July 25, 1994, during the ship's final change of command ceremony. USS KANSAS CITY was decommissioned at Naval Air Station Alameda on October 7, 1994. Her recorded decorations included two Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations, a Navy Unit Commendation for Operation Desert Storm, three Navy Battle Efficiency Awards, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three campaign stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

Following decommissioning, the former USS KANSAS CITY was transferred to the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay, near Benicia, California. She entered reserve storage on October 10, 1994, and remained under arrangements involving the United States Maritime Administration. The vessel was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on April 8, 1997, ending her status as a ship retained on the Navy's register. On September 2, 1999, the former USS KANSAS CITY formally entered the National Defense Reserve Fleet on a reimbursable custody basis. On February 24, 2001, the Maritime Administration accepted title to the vessel for disposal. The ship remained laid up at Suisun Bay during the following years, no longer maintained for return to operational naval service. On June 21, 2005, the California State Historic Preservation Office completed the required historic review associated with her eventual disposal.

On June 11, 2013, the former USS KANSAS CITY was sold for dismantling to All Star Metals in Brownsville, Texas. She departed the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet on July 31, 2013, and was moved to the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard at Vallejo, California, for cleaning and preparations for her final tow. After completion of this work, the former replenishment oiler departed Mare Island in mid-August under tow by the tug RACHEL. The tow proceeded from California to the Gulf of Mexico, and the former USS KANSAS CITY arrived at All Star Metals in Brownsville on October 20, 2013. She was subsequently dismantled and recycled.

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USS KANSAS CITY Image Gallery:

The photos below were taken by me and show the KANSAS CITY laid-up at Suisun Bay, Calif., on March 27, 2010.

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