USS Camden (AOE-2)

The USS "Camden" (AOE-2) is the second ship of the United States Navy named after the city of Camden, New Jersey that lies on the Delaware River across from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was a "Sacramento"-class fast combat support ship, combining the functions of three logistic support ships in one hull - fleet oiler (AO), ammunition ship (AE), and refrigerated stores ship (AF).

History

"Camden" was commissioned 1 April 1967 as the second of four vessels in its class. It was also the 542nd and final contract in the 68-year history of New York Shipbuilding, and the last vessel completed and launched at the shipyard. It was assigned to the Pacific Fleet in September 1967 and was initially homeported in Long Beach, California. For their accomplishments during her first deployment to WestPac in 1968-1969, her crew was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

On 7 February 1974, "Camden" moved to its new homeport of Bremerton, Washington. The ship operated extensively up and down the West Coast of the United States and deployed frequently to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans to support units of the Seventh Fleet.

On July 20, 1983 "The New York Times" reported that the "Camden" along with seven other vessels in the Carrier "Ranger" Battle Group left San Diego on Friday July 15, 1983 and were headed for the western Pacific when they were rerouted and ordered to steam for Central America to conduct training and flight operations in areas off the coasts of Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras as part of major military exercises planned for that summer.

The battle group comprised the carrier USS|Ranger|CVA-61|2, the cruiser USS|Horne|DLG-30|2, the guided missile destroyer "Lynde McCormick", the destroyers USS|Fletcher|DD-992|2 and USS|Fife|DD-991|2, the frigate USS|Marvin Shields|FF-1066|2, the oiler USS|Wichita|AOR-1|2 and the support ship "Camden".

On May 17, 1987 USS "Camden" was redirected to assist the USS "Stark" after they had been attacked by unfriendly fire. USS "Camden"'s job was to unload all of the weapons in which the USS "Stark" was carrying in case any further attack were to happen.

In March 1996, "Camden" was awarded its third consecutive Battle "E" for demonstrating excellence in all warfare and mission categories.

In 2004, "Camden" won the Battle "E" again. This was the final year of Battle "E" eligibility for the "Sacramento"-class fast combat support ship.

In January 2005, "Camden" left on its final deployment, an eight-month world tour with the USS|Carl Vinson|CVN-70|6 escorting that carrier to its new homeport in Norfolk, Virginia. "Camden" was decommissioned October 14, 2005 at Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton, Washington, and was disposed of by scrapping at Esco Marine, in Brownsville, Texas.

Power plant

"Camden"'s power plant was one of two built for the "Iowa"-class battleship USS|Kentucky|BB-66|6, which was cancelled in 1947 when 72.1 percent complete. The other "Kentucky" power plant was used to power USS "Sacramento", the lead ship of her class.

External links

* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/AOE2.htm Naval Vessel Register entry for USS "Camden"]
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/aoe-1.htm Federation of American Scientists: AOE-1 Sacramento Fast Combat Support Ship]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/aoe-2.htm GlobalSecurity.org: AOE 2 Camden]