SS Curtiss

She was originally laid down on 1 April 1968 at Ingalls Shipbuilding of Pascagoula, Mississippi as SS Mormacksky, ON 521302, IMO 6901830, a Maritime Commission type (C5-S-78a) combination breakbulk, container, Ro-Ro vessel under Maritime Administration contract (MA 222) for Moore-McCormack Lines. Launched 1 December 1968, she was delivered to the Maritime 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 to American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines and renamed SS Great Republic on 19 October 1970. In 1978 she was sold again to Farrell Lines without name change.[3] The ship was turned over to MARAD in 1981.

Converted and renamed SS Curtiss (T-AVB-4) on 14 May 1986, she was assigned to MARAD Ready Reserve Force, (RRF), MSC PM-5 Sealift Program Office, Logistics Prepositioning Force. On 20 August 1990, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 deployed aboard Curtiss. This was the first time a MALS deployed aboard a T-AVB.[4] In 2001, the activation exercise with Curtis named Pacific Provider 21 was held. This exercise was planned and executed by MALS-16 and was the largest activation of the ship since the Gulf 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 for Marine Corps helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.[5] She is maintained in reduced operating status (ROS), with a five-day reactivation requirement, at Pier 9, Naval Station San Diego.

Curtiss deploys for biennial training exercises, most recently (2013 and 2015) participating in Exercise Dawn Blitz.[6][7]

• SS Wright (T-AVB-3)