USNS Spica

USNS Spica (T-AFS-9), was a combat stores ship acquired by the U.S. Navy from the United Kingdom in 1981. She participated in Operation Fiery Vigil to evacuate Clark Air Base personnel following the Mount Pinatubo Eruption in 1991. She served as part of the Military Sealift Command until she was deactivated in 2008.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Spica.

History
United States
NameUSNS Spica
OrderedFor the Royal Navy as RFA Tarbatness (A-345)
BuilderSwan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., Wallsend-On-Tyne
Laid down1 April 1965
Launched1 February 1967
AcquiredPurchased by the U.S. Navy, 1 November 1981
In service1 November 1981, as USNS Spica (T-AFS-9)
Out of service26 January 2008
IdentificationIMO number: 6709933
Honors and
awards		Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
FateSunk as target 6 May 2009
General characteristics
Class and typeSirius-class combat stores ship
Tonnage6475 deadweight tonnage
Displacement10,205 tons light, 16,680 tons full load
Length523 ft (159 m) o/a
Beam72 ft (22 m)
Draft26 ft (7.9 m) (max.)
Propulsion1 × diesel engine, 11,520 bhp (8,590 kW), single propeller
Speed18 knots (33 km/h)
Complement123 Civilian, 47 Navy
ArmamentNone
Aircraft carried2 × UH-46 Sea Knight helicopters

Before her U.S. Navy career, Spica served the United Kingdom's Royal Fleet Auxiliary as RFA Tarbatness (A345).

Built in England

RFA Tarbatness (A345) was built at Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., Wallsend-On-Tyne, England, for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. She was laid down on 1 April 1965 and was launched on 1 February 1967.

Purchased by the U.S. Navy

Spica was purchased by the U.S. Navy and placed into non-commissioned service as a combat stores ship on 1 November 1981 as the USNS Spica (T-AFS-9), a unit of the Military Sealift Command (MSC) Naval Auxiliary Force Atlantic.

Mission

Spica’s mission was to provide underway replenishment in support of naval forces by providing refrigerated supplies, dry supplies, spare parts, general supplies, fleet freight, mail, and replacement personnel by alongside or by vertical replenishment processes.

Honors and awards

Spica was authorized the following awards:[1]

Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Silver star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star

Disposal

Spica was inactivated on 26 January 2008 and turned over to the Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for disposal.[2] She was sunk as a target on 6 May 2009.[2]

References
  1. "U.S. Navy Awards Website"
  2. navsource.org USNS Spica (T-AFS-9) ex RFA Tarbatness (A-345) (1967 - 1981)
  • Photo gallery of USNS Spica (T-AFS-9) – ex-RFA Tarbatness (A-345) at NavSource Naval History
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