USS McKee (AS-41)

USS "McKee" (AS-41), named after Andrew McKee, was commissioned 16 August 1981 and follows "Emory S. Land" (AS-39) and "Frank Cable" (AS-40) as the third of the LAND class of submarine tenders built by Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company of Seattle, Washington. After a series of sea trials, McKee joined "Dixon" (AS-37) in San Diego to support Pacific Fleet submarines. The McKee was the Command Ship for COMSUBRON11.

During the "McKee's" first decade, she set the standard for submarine support around the world. Early in 1984, "McKee" became the first submarine tender certified to support the new Tomahawk Cruise Missile system. "McKee" earned three consecutive Battle Efficiency "E" awards in 1985, 1986 and 1987. In addition to the Battle "E" in 1986, "McKee" was honored with the Golden Anchor Award for retention excellence and her first Meritorious Unit Commendation.

In 1987, the "McKee" was the first submarine tender to visit Adak, Alaska since World War II, and conducted the first nuclear submarine upkeep at this remote location. 1988 saw "McKee" become the first submarine tender certified to handle the Tomahawk Vertical Launch System (VLS).

In February 1989 the "McKee" performed the first at-sea weapons transfer to a submarine since WWII, to the USS "Ohio".

In March 1990, the "McKee" continued leading the way for submarine tenders by participating in the first underway fuel replenishment by a Pacific Fleet submarine tender. This fuel was in preparation for deployment to the Persian Gulf in January 1991.

When Operation Desert Storm began, the "McKee" deployed to the Persian Gulf and spent six months providing support to submarines and surface combatants in Jebel Ali, just outside Dubai, United Arab Emirates. "McKee" was awarded a second Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Southwest Asia Service Medal. Following Desert Storm, "McKee" was awarded a fourth Battle Efficiency "E" Award.

In 1995, after the decommissioning of USS "Dixon", "McKee" provided all support to San Diego based submarines. Assistance was also provided to many Allied submarines while they visited Point Loma.

In 1998, "McKee" earned a third Meritorious Unit Commendation following a six month deployment to Pearl Harbor. During this deployment, "McKee" provided services and conducted repairs to both U.S. and Allied submarines and surface combatants. Upon returning to San Diego, the ship took the lead in establishing shore-based services that will support the submarines after "McKee's" departure.

On 16 July, 1999, "McKee" was decommissioned from service. Since that time she has been in the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF), located in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The USS Mckee was one of first ships to integrate female sailors and as a consequence, while unofficially was also known as the "Love Boat" by many of her crew, and the crew members of submarines, assigned to Submarine Squadron 11 for the many relationships that sprung up during the 1990s.

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/36/3641.htm navsource.org: USS "McKee"]