USS Roanoke (AOR 7)

- decommissioned -

USS ROANOKE was the seventh and final ship in the WICHITA-class of replenishment oilers. Decommissioned and stricken from the Navy list on October 6, 1995, ROANOKE was subsequently laid up at the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet, Benicia, Ca., awaiting final disposal. On October 1, 2012, she was sold for dismantling to ESCO Marine of Brownsville, Texas.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: December 15, 1972
	Keel laid: January 19, 1974
	Launched: December 7, 1974
	Commissioned: October 30, 1976
	Decommissioned: October 6, 1995
	Builder: National Steel and Shipbuilding, San Diego, Ca.
	Propulsion system: Three boilers, steam turbines, two shafts, 32,000 shaft horsepower
	Propellers: two
	Length: 659 feet (200.86 meters)
	Beam: 96 feet (29.3 meters)
	Draft: 35 feet (10.7 meters)
	Displacement: approx. 40,100 tons full load
	Speed: 20 knots
	Aircraft: 2 CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopters
	Armament: two Phalanx CIWS, one Mk-29 Sea Sparrow Missile Launcher
	Crew: 22 officers, 398 enlisted

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Crew List:

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

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Accidents aboard USS ROANOKE:

Date	Where	Events
October 29, 1984	Pearl Harbor, HI	USS ROANOKE runs aground just outside the entrance of Pearl Harbor, HI., after suffering a steering casualty. The ship rides free eight hours later and returns to port.
July 2, 1986	Long Beach, Ca.	USS ROANOKE collides with the Liberian oil tanker MINT PROSPERITY while entering the port of Long Beach in low visibility. ROANOKE sustains only minor damage to its bow and enters Naval Station Long Beach under its own power.

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USS ROANOKE History:

USS ROANOKE's construction contract was awarded on December 15, 1972, and her keel was laid on January 19, 1974, at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego, California. She was the only ship of the class built there; the preceding six had been constructed at Quincy, Massachusetts. Named for Roanoke, Virginia, she was launched on December 7, 1974, with Norma Weisner, wife of Admiral Maurice Weisner, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, as sponsor. Unlike the earlier ships of her class, which received helicopter hangars through subsequent alterations, ROANOKE was completed with a hangar. She could carry two CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters, which became a regular part of her replenishment operations. She was commissioned at Long Beach on October 30, 1976, under Captain Paul Allen Asmus and entered service with the Pacific Fleet.

On February 4, 1977, ROANOKE departed for cold-weather operations in the Bering Sea. During February, she worked with USNS TALUGA (T-AO 62) in tests directed by Commander, Service Group One. The work examined the operation, maintenance, and handling of replenishment equipment in cold conditions near the ice edge. This early assignment became known aboard ROANOKE as the Polar Express. Training in Hawaiian waters followed. During April and May 1977, ROANOKE also conducted replenishment work with USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) as she developed her operational capabilities.

ROANOKE left Alameda, California, in January 1978 for her first deployment to the western Pacific. Originally intended to last six months, the deployment extended to approximately nine months and included operations in the Indian Ocean. Ships supplied during the deployment included USS MIDWAY (CV 41) and USS GRIDLEY (CG 21). Port calls during the cruise included Pearl Harbor, Subic Bay in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Pattaya Beach in Thailand, Guam, the Seychelles, and Fremantle in Western Australia. On July 17, 1978, ROANOKE crossed the equator in the Indian Ocean, and an equator-crossing ceremony took place aboard. She visited Fremantle in August 1978.

During the homeward passage, ROANOKE operated with USS BRONSTEIN (FF 1037), USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG 32), USS HULL (DD 945), USS ALBERT DAVID (FF 1050), and USS MARS (AFS 1). On October 26, 1978, ROANOKE and MARS detached from the group to proceed toward San Francisco Bay, while the other ships continued toward San Diego. Captain Clifford Murdock Johns assumed command of ROANOKE on February 7, 1979.

During September and October 1979, ROANOKE participated in FleetEx 2-79 and Kernel Potlatch II, a period of U.S. and Canadian naval exercises in the northeastern Pacific. Other participating U.S. ships included USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7), USS ANCHORAGE (LSD 36), USS MOBILE (LKA 115), USS KILAUEA (AE 26), and USS SAN BERNARDINO (LST 1189). These exercises brought together amphibious ships and their supporting forces during the Cold War.

ROANOKE's next overseas deployment, spanning 1979 and 1980, included approximately four months in the Indian Ocean during the Iranian hostage crisis. The seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979, was followed by a sustained American naval presence in the region. ROANOKE provided logistical support to the deployed forces. Her qualifying periods for the Navy Expeditionary Medal in connection with the Iran and Indian Ocean operations were January 17, 1980, through March 13, 1980, and April 9, 1980, through May 5, 1980. These were award eligibility periods within the deployment, rather than its departure and return dates. On June 1, 1980, a CH-46 helicopter of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 11 operating from ROANOKE transferred cargo to USS CORAL SEA (CV 43) as the carrier returned from Indian Ocean operations. Captain Riley Dewitt Mixson took command of ROANOKE during 1980.

Western Pacific service continued during 1981. Captain William Henry Reed Jr. assumed command on February 20, 1982. On April 2, 1982, Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger visited ROANOKE at Subic Bay. He arrived in a CH-46A helicopter of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 11, toured the ship, and addressed members of the crew. On August 2, 1982, ROANOKE was moored alongside USS TAUTOG (SSN 639) at Naval Air Station Alameda.

During 1983, ROANOKE underwent a substantial overhaul and modernization. The work included improvements to her engineering spaces and the installation of a Halon firefighting system. Captain Robert Lee Toney assumed command on August 5, 1983. From May 31, 1984, through June 3, 1984, ROANOKE operated in Southern California waters with USS KANSAS CITY (AOR 3). Captain Richard Warren Holly became her commanding officer on July 26, 1984.

In the autumn of 1984, ROANOKE was assigned to support the western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment of USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70). On October 29, 1984, a steering casualty caused ROANOKE to run aground outside the entrance to Pearl Harbor while departing after a reload. She was freed after approximately eight hours and towed back into port for inspection and repairs. Approximately 100,000 gallons of aviation fuel were spilled. KANSAS CITY temporarily took over her deployment assignment. On November 3, 1984, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 11 Detachment One transferred to KANSAS CITY, which began loading the cargo intended for ROANOKE's deployment.

By December 5, 1984, the repaired ROANOKE was at Sasebo, Japan, awaiting KANSAS CITY. When KANSAS CITY arrived that day, the ships transferred the deployment cargo in approximately eight hours. The helicopter detachment returned to ROANOKE, and she resumed her assignment with the carrier force. The operation took place during the continuing Iran-Iraq War, when American carrier groups maintained a presence in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.

During the following months, ROANOKE repeatedly replenished CARL VINSON. Transfers took place on January 8, 1985, January 11, 1985, and January 27, 1985. Further replenishments followed on February 3, 1985, February 11, 1985, February 13, 1985, February 20, 1985, and February 28, 1985. On February 13, 1985, the carrier also replenished from USS KISKA (AE 35). ROANOKE conducted connected replenishments with CARL VINSON on March 2, 1985, March 20, 1985, and March 25, 1985, followed by helicopter replenishments on March 26, 1985, and March 31, 1985. On April 3, 1985, her helicopters delivered 80 pallets to the carrier.

ROANOKE received a Meritorious Unit Commendation for service from November 10, 1984, through May 7, 1985. During 1985, she was also awarded the Battle Efficiency award. On June 23, 1985, she conducted an underway replenishment with USS MOUNT HOOD (AE 29).

During April 1986, ROANOKE carried out replenishment operations involving USS LEAHY (CG 16), USS MARVIN SHIELDS (FF 1066), USS FLINT (AE 32), and USS BREWTON (FF 1086). In June 1986, she participated in the multinational Rim of the Pacific exercise. On June 17, 1986, she replenished CARL VINSON. By this period, her defensive equipment included a Mk 29 Sea Sparrow missile launcher and two Phalanx close-in weapon systems. On June 26, 1986, ROANOKE replenished USS RANGER (CV 61) and the Canadian destroyer escort HMCS TERRA NOVA (DDE 259), with the Australian frigate HMAS DARWIN (FFG 04) operating nearby.

On July 2, 1986, ROANOKE collided with the Liberian tanker MINT PROSPERITY while entering Long Beach in restricted visibility. ROANOKE sustained minor bow damage, no injuries were reported, and she continued into port under her own power. Captain Robert Philip Hickey Jr. assumed command on July 11, 1986.

ROANOKE next served with the CARL VINSON battle group on its deployment beginning on August 12, 1986. Other ships in the deployed force included USS VINCENNES (CG 49), USS JOUETT (CG 29), USS PAUL F. FOSTER (DD 964), USS GARY (FFG 51), LEAHY, MARVIN SHIELDS, BREWTON, and FLINT. The deployment included western Pacific and Indian Ocean operations, with service in the North Arabian Sea during the Iran-Iraq War. ROANOKE supplied the ships of the force with fuel and other stores at sea.

During the battle group's visit to Mombasa, Kenya, from November 17, 1986, through November 23, 1986, ROANOKE was among the ships at anchor with CARL VINSON. Ships present included LEAHY, GARY, MARVIN SHIELDS, PAUL F. FOSTER, VINCENNES, USS SAN JOSE (AFS 7), and USNS MISPILLION (T-AO 105). On December 7, 1986, ROANOKE conducted an underway replenishment with LEAHY. During December 1986, a CH-46 operating from ROANOKE also carried personnel from SAN JOSE to VINCENNES off Western Australia.

In January 1987, ROANOKE participated in cold-weather operations in the Bering Sea and Aleutian region with CARL VINSON, VINCENNES, LEAHY, JOUETT, and PAUL F. FOSTER. The force's Bering Sea operations extended from January 23, 1987, through January 28, 1987; the Kernel Potlatch 87-1 exercise took place from January 24, 1987, through January 28, 1987. The training included naval operations and replenishment under winter conditions. ROANOKE received a Meritorious Unit Commendation covering January 16, 1987, through February 2, 1987. The CARL VINSON battle group's deployment ended on February 5, 1987.

Captain Robert Lawrence Johnson Jr. took command on April 29, 1988. During 1988, ROANOKE again supported CARL VINSON in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean, delivering fuel and supplies to the deployed force. Her qualifying period for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal extended from July 29, 1988, through September 30, 1988. In the Persian Gulf region, Operation Earnest Will involved U.S. naval protection of Kuwaiti tankers transferred to the American flag. The deployment coincided with the final phase of the Iran-Iraq War and its immediate aftermath; the United Nations-sponsored ceasefire took effect on August 20, 1988. Captain John Filip Junek assumed command of ROANOKE on October 27, 1989.

In early 1990, ROANOKE supported USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) during the carrier's passage around South America on the way to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a Service Life Extension Program overhaul. ROANOKE conducted more than seven underway replenishments with the carrier during this movement. Photographed replenishments in the Pacific took place on February 14, 1990, and February 19, 1990.

Captain Ronald Bailey Weber took command of ROANOKE on April 26, 1991. The following month, she joined Battle Group Foxtrot for a western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment. The group departed the U.S. West Coast on May 28, 1991, and included USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72), USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9), USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57), USS MERRILL (DD 976), USS INGRAHAM (FFG 61), GARY, and ROANOKE.

The deployment was interrupted by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. The climactic eruption on June 15, 1991, coincided with Typhoon Yunya, and ash fall affected Clark Air Base and the Subic Bay area. Operation Fiery Vigil evacuated U.S. military personnel, dependants, and other affected people. ROANOKE took part in the operation, helping to evacuate 564 people. Other participating ships included CLEVELAND, USS PELELIU (LHA 5), USS COMSTOCK (LSD 45), and USS BRISTOL COUNTY (LST 1198), as well as ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

On June 20, 1991, helicopters from ROANOKE and landing craft from BRISTOL COUNTY helped disembark evacuees from COMSTOCK at Cebu. COMSTOCK had arrived after dusk on June 19, 1991, and the evacuees had remained aboard overnight. ROANOKE's service during the evacuation was included in a Joint Meritorious Unit Award eligibility period extending from June 10, 1991, through June 28, 1991.

During the passage from Singapore toward the Persian Gulf from July 5, 1991, through July 14, 1991, ROANOKE accompanied ABRAHAM LINCOLN and LAKE CHAMPLAIN. On July 10, 1991, she refueled ABRAHAM LINCOLN in the Arabian Sea. Further replenishments with LAKE CHAMPLAIN took place on July 24, 1991, July 28, 1991, August 6, 1991, and August 9, 1991. These operations followed the ceasefire in the Gulf War and supported the continuing American naval presence in the region. ROANOKE's qualifying service for the Southwest Asia Service Medal extended from July 5, 1991, through October 13, 1991.

On January 31, 1992, ROANOKE replenished LAKE CHAMPLAIN off Southern California. Between May 18, 1992, and May 21, 1992, she carried out replenishment training with the submarine tender USS McKEE (AS 41). In June 1992, ROANOKE visited Everett, Washington, for the Salty Sea Days celebrations. Captain Larry Earl Cook assumed command on November 13, 1992.

On May 1, 1993, ROANOKE was underway off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. During the early 1990s, the Navy also changed her homeport from Long Beach to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton, Washington, as part of the homeport adjustments associated with the 1991 base realignment and closure process. By December 1993, she was based at Bremerton.

Captain Ronnie Lee Barrow, ROANOKE's final commanding officer, assumed command on April 19, 1994. ROANOKE joined the KITTY HAWK battle group's western Pacific deployment, which began on June 24, 1994. Under Rear Admiral Dennis Blair, Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group Five, the force comprised KITTY HAWK, USS COWPENS (CG 63), VINCENNES, USS CALIFORNIA (CGN 36), USS CROMMELIN (FFG 37), FLINT, ROANOKE, USS SALT LAKE CITY (SSN 716), and USS JEFFERSON CITY (SSN 759).

During this deployment, the battle group operated in waters off Japan and Korea. Its presence coincided with the 1994 confrontation over North Korea's nuclear programme. ROANOKE provided replenishment support to the deployed force. She returned to Bremerton in December 1994, as did CALIFORNIA. Other ships of the group returned to San Diego, while FLINT returned to Concord, California.

On October 6, 1995, ROANOKE was decommissioned at Bremerton and struck from the Naval Vessel Register. Captain Barrow remained in command through the end of her commissioned service. On October 12, 1995, she entered the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet near Benicia, California, in the custody of the Maritime Administration. The Navy retained ownership until the formal transfer of title to the Maritime Administration on December 18, 1998. ROANOKE remained in reserve at Suisun Bay. On June 21, 2005, the California State Historic Preservation Officer cleared her disposal through the historic-preservation review process. On October 1, 2012, she was sold for dismantling to ESCO Marine of Brownsville, Texas, for $1,926,726. She left the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet on November 29, 2012, and was taken to Mare Island for hull cleaning before the voyage to Texas. During December 2012, she underwent dry-dock preparation there. The tug ELSBETH III subsequently towed her to Brownsville, where she arrived on January 20, 2013. ROANOKE was then dismantled at Brownsville.