USNS Rainier (T-AOE-7)

Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated with the Navy. Gold is indicative of honor, excellence, and achievement. The dark blue of the shield stands for loyalty and reflects the sea, the theater of naval operations. White suggests integrity and purity of ideals. Black implies solidity. The chevron, a symbol of strength and support, alludes to the prow of the ship and the peak of Mt. Rainier, the ship's namesake. The black pellets characterize fuel and ammunition pointing to the ship's mission. The pellets are charged with twelve battle stars earned for World War II service in Korea and Vietnam. The three anchors, symbolic of maritime tradition, simulate the past and present ships.

Red symbolizes combat, valor, and zeal. The colors red, yellow and green are the colors associated with Vietnam. The Torii gate recalls service in Korea. The bamboo annulet signifies continuous replenishment operations conducted off Vietnam. The crossed palm fronds represent the ship's extensive service in the South Pacific and portray strength, support, honor, and achievement.

A scroll azure doubled and inscribed "LEGEND OF SERVICE" in gold.

Rainier's maiden deployment began when she departed Indian Island, Washington on October 11, 1996, en route to Hong Kong via the SOCAL OPAREA.

For the month of November, Rainier anchored in Hong Kong, providing hotel services to USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) and participated in a relief project: "Helping Hands Home for the Elderly." Rainier anchored in Singapore, participating in a relief project: "Christian School for the Mentally Handicapped." Towards the end of November, fuel was onloaded in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Rainier conducted several FAS's with US, United Kingdom and New Zealand ships before a brief inport period at Muscat, Oman - where Rainier provided hotel services for USS Stump (DD-978).

The month of December found Rainier transiting the Strait of Hormuz; anchoring at Bahrain; conducting FAS and CONSOL's; loading fuel at Jebel Ali, UAE; transiting the Strait of Hormuz; conducting FAS's; and on Christmas, loading fuel in Fujairah; re-transiting the Strait of Hormuz to conduct FAS's; and, anchoring on New Year's Eve with the SAG.

During the month of January 1996, Rainier fell into a routine of loading fuel in Jebel Ali, conducting numerous FAS, Replenishment at Sea (RAS), VERTREP, and CONSOL's. The month eded with Rainier anchoring in Bahrain.

February, Rainier transited through the Strait of Hormuz twice to onload fuel and conduct RAS and VERTREPs. During this period, Rainier anchored in Bahrain, was inport Jebel Ali and retransited the Strait of Hormuz for the last time during this deployment.

March, Rainier was inport briefly in Diego Garcia before spending a week in Melbourne, Australia. Several RAS's were conducted en route to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The beginning of April consisted of embarking "Tigers" and conducting ammunition downloads to USS Flint (AE-32) and USS Shasta (AE-33). Rainier returned to Bremerton, Washington on April 11, 1997 to complete WESTPAC 96-97.

After a month of reduced operations to let the crew recover, the training cycle to prepare for the November 1998 deployment. This training cycle included the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC-98) exercise conducted with over thirteen countries.

Rainier's second deployment began in November 1998. After 28 consecutive days underway, Rainier pulled into Singapore, her first liberty port. Rainier sailors participated in a community relations project, "Project Handclasp", at Singapore's Gracehaven Children's Home.

Rainier's second port of call was anchoring off the beach of the resort city of Patong, Thailand.

After transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Rainier arrived in Jebel Ali to onload fuel. Rainier was informed that she had won her third Battle Efficiency Award. A majority of Rainier's operational time was conducting FAS, RAS, VERTREP and CONSOL's while in the Persian Gulf.

After departing the Persian Gulf, Rainier made port calls to Bali and Darwin, Australia.

Rainier's third deployment began in March 2001. Rainier anchored off the coast of Melbourne, Australia in early April for her first liberty port.

Rainier's second port of call was anchoring off the beach of Freemantle Australia in mid-April.

While in the Persian Gulf, Rainier made several port visits to Jebel Ali, U.A.E. to onload fuel and Bahrain for liberty and re-supply.

After departing the Persian Gulf, Rainier made port calls to Phuket, Thailand and Hong Kong.

Rainier returned from back to Bremerton, WA on September 10, 2001, the day before the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks. Post-deployment leave was cancelled for the crew and the ship remained in a high readiness state; however, the ship did not respond to the attacks due to an upcoming maintenance period.

Rainier's fourth and final deployment as a USS ship began in early November 2002, making only one extended port call in Hong Kong prior to entering the Persian Gulf. The second port call to Singapore was cancelled due to fear by the local authorities of having a refueling ship in its ports and her being a potential target for a terrorist attack.

Rainier was one of the busiest ships in the Persian Gulf, providing fuel, food and ammunition to U.S. and coalition ships. During seven months at sea, Rainier completed a record 244 underway replenishments with 64 different ships.[3]

After being extended for an additional month in the Persian Gulf due to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Rainier transited out of the Gulf and made port calls in Guam, Fremantle, Australia and Maui, Hawaii. The crew also started to hand over systems and train members of the Military Sealift Command crew riding on board for the transit back to Naval Station Bremerton. Rainier returned from her final deployment on June 2, 2003.