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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | SSCurtiss |
| Builder | Ingalls Shipbuilding |
| Laid down | 1 April 1968 |
| Launched | 1 December 1968 |
| Commissioned | 1 July 1969 |
| Renamed | SSCurtiss (T-AVB-4), 14 May 1986 |
| Identification | |
| Status | in active service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Wright-class Aviation Logistics Support (Roll-on/Roll-off) Container Ship |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 602 ft (183 m) |
| Beam | 90 ft (27 m) |
| Draft | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Propulsion | Geared steam turbine, single propeller |
| Speed | 18.7knots (34.6 km/h; 21.5 mph) |
| Complement | 362 (37 merchant mariners and 1 Aircraft Maintenance Detachment) |
SSCurtiss (T-AVB-4) is one of twoWright-classaviation logistics support ship converted for theMilitary Sealift Command byTodd Shipyards in 1987.[1]
She was originally laid down on 1 April 1968 at Ingalls Shipbuilding ofPascagoula, Mississippi as SSMormacksky, ON 521302, IMO 6901830, aMaritime Commission type(C5-S-78a) combination breakbulk, container, Ro-Ro vessel under Maritime Administration contract (MA 222) forMoore-McCormack Lines. Launched 1 December 1968, she was delivered to theMaritime Administration (MARAD) on 25 July 1969 and entered service with Moore-McCormack.[2] After working for that line for only a short time the ship was sold toAmerican Export-Isbrandtsen Lines and renamed SSGreat Republic on 19 October 1970. In 1978 she was sold again toFarrell Lines without name change.[3] The ship was turned over to MARAD in 1981.
Converted and renamed SSCurtiss (T-AVB-4) on 14 May 1986, she was assigned to MARADReady Reserve Force, (RRF), MSC PM-5 Sealift Program Office, Logistics Prepositioning Force. On 20 August 1990,Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 deployed aboardCurtiss. This was the first time a MALS deployed aboard a T-AVB.[4] In 2001, the activation exercise withCurtis namedPacific Provider 21 was held. This exercise was planned and executed by MALS-16 and was the largest activation of the ship since theGulf War.[4]
Curtiss is outfitted with both a stern ramp and side ports. The roll-on/roll-off deck runs the complete length of the ship. When outfitted with mobile facilities, the ships can service aircraft while anchored offshore.[1]Curtiss provides intermediate maintenance support forMarine Corpshelicopters and fixed wing aircraft.[5] She is maintained in reduced operating status (ROS), with a five-day reactivation requirement, at thePort of Vancouver USA.[6]
Curtiss deploys for biennial training exercises, most recently (2013 and 2015) participating inExercise Dawn Blitz.[7][8]
