RFA Stromness (A344)
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| RFA Stromness RFA Stromness (A344) | |
| Career (UK) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | RFA Stromness |
| Ordered: | 7 December 1964 |
| Builder: | Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Wallsend |
| Yard number: | 2017 |
| Laid down: | 5 October 1965 |
| Launched: | 16 September 1966 |
| Fate: | Sold to USA |
| Career (USA) |  |
| Name: | USNS Saturn |
| Acquired: | 1 January 1983 |
| In service: | 1 January 1983 |
| Status: | in active service, as of 2024[update] |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: |
RFA: Ness-class fleet stores ship USA: Sirius-class combat stores ship |
| Tonnage: | 6475 deadweight tonnage |
| Displacement: | 10,205 tons |
| Tons burthen: | 16,680 tons |
| Length: | 523 ft (159 m) o/a |
| Beam: | 72 ft (22 m) |
| Draft: | 26 ft (7.9 m) (max.) |
| Propulsion: | 8-cylinder Sulzer RD 76 turbocharged diesel engine, 11,520 bhp (8,590 kW) at 118 RPM, single propeller |
| Speed: | 18 knots (33 km/h) |
| Complement: |
RFA: 110 RFA + 50 Stores Working Party USA: 123 Civilian, 47 Navy |
| Armament: | 6x pintle mounts for M240B 7.62mm machine guns or Browning M2 12.7mm machine guns in MSC service. Guns not normally fitted |
| Aircraft carried: | 2 × UH-46 Sea Knight or MH-60S Seahawk helicopters |
| Aviation facilities: | Fitted with a flight deck but no hangar facilities until purchased by U.S. Military Sealift Command, hangar for 2 CH-46, MH-60 or Super Puma post-refit |
RFA Stromness (A344) was a fleet stores ship which served the Royal Fleet Auxiliary until sold to the United States Military Sealift Command in 1983.
Contents
Construction
Originally known as RFA Stromness (A344), the vessel was built at Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Wallsend as Yard Nr 2017, United Kingdom, for the Royal Navy. She was laid down on 5 October 1965 and launched on 16 September 1966.
RFA operational history
In 1982 "STROM" saw service during the Falklands War, where she carried over 400 troops of 45 Commando Royal Marines to the beach landing in San Carlos Water.
Sale to the U.S. Military Sealift Command
In 1983 Stromness was sold to the United States Military Sealift Command. She was renamed Saturn and placed into service.
USMSC mission
Saturn is one of five combat stores ships operated by Military Sealift Command. She provides fuel, food, ammunition and ocean towing services to U.S. Navy ships around the world. Saturn carries virtually every type of food and supply needed by Navy ships. Saturn carries spare and repair parts for other ships and aircraft and also has a limited capability to transfer fuel to other Navy ships at sea. Supplies and fuel are transferred to other ships using lines and hoses suspended above the water to another ship as the ships move forward at the same speed and sometimes less than 50 feet apart.
Saturn is capable of replenishing two ships at the same time, one on either side, using this side-by-side technique. Dry stores are also transferred by using helicopters to lift large cargo nets and pallets loaded with supplies and parts. Saturn has elevators and mobile equipment for handling stores internally on the ship. Helicopters are not assigned to Saturn on a full-time basis, but fly aboard for extended periods of time while the ship is at sea.
Civilian Mariners (CIVMARS) on board USNS Saturn are a vital part of the Military Sealift Command (MSC) Fleet. Their areas of expertise encompass a wide variety of occupations ranging primarily from the engineering, deck and supply departments. Current compliment is approximately 120 personnel. Tour lengths are 4 months in duration with an extension option available.
Enlisted ratings on board include Operations Specialists, Information Systems Technicians, Electronics Technicians, Personnelmen and Storekeepers. Current tour length for enlisted military members aboard Saturn is 12 months. Officers serve up to a two-year tour.
Saturn operational history
There is no current operational history for Saturn.
Note
There is no journal entry on Saturn (T-AFS-10) at DANFS.
Honors and awards
Qualified Saturn personnel are authorized the following medals:
- Navy Unit Commendation
- Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2)
- Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (4)
- National Defense Service Medal
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Armed Forces Service Medal (4)
References
- Photo gallery of USNS Saturn (T-AFS-10) – ex-RFA Stromness (A-344) at NavSource Naval History
- USNS Saturn (T-AFS 10)
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- Ness class combat stores ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
- Tyne-built ships
- 1966 ships
- Falklands War naval ships of the United Kingdom
- Sirius class combat stores ships
- Cold War auxiliary ships of the United States
