USNS VADM K. R. Wheeler
History
United States
NameVADM K. R. Wheeler
NamesakeKenneth Ray Wheeler
Owner
BuilderEdison Chouest Offshore
Completed2007
Acquired20 September 2007
HomeportGalliano
Identification
StatusActive
General characteristics
TypeOffshore Petroleum Distribution System
Displacement6,491 t (6,388 long tons)
Length349 ft 0 in (106.38 m)
Beam70 ft 0 in (21.34 m)
Draft26 ft 0 in (7.92 m)
Propulsiondiesel engine
Speed15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Capacity500,000 barrels petroleum
Complement26 mariners

USNS VADM K. R. Wheeler (T-AG-5001), (formerly (AG-5001)), is an Offshore Petroleum Distribution System (OPDS) ship built in 2007.[1] The ship is named after Vice Admiral Kenneth Ray Wheeler, an American sailor who was a Legion of Merit recipient and Prisoner of War during World War II.[2]

Construction and commissioning

The ship was built in 2007 by Edison Chouest Offshore, Louisiana. Later acquired and placed in service with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) on 20 September 2007, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida under a 5 year contract. She was put into the Prepositioning Program and the Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron 3. The ship operates in the Pacific Ocean.[3]

On 20 August 2012, she was then bought by United States Navy to be used as an OPDS, with the support of USNS Fast Tempo.[3] She supported the Combined Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (CJLOTS) 2015 exercise off South Korea on 3 July 2015.[4] Military officials including Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, attended a tour of the OPDS VADM K. R. Wheeler during Exercise Ssang Yong 16, off Pohang on 17 March 2016.[5]

The ship together with Task Force-West assisted the islands of Tinian and Saipan after they were struck by Typhoon Yutu on 24 October 2018.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Offshore Petroleum Distribution System". www.msc.usff.navy.mil. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  2. ↑ "Kenneth Wheeler - Recipient -". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Oil Transporter (AOT) Photo Index". www.navsource.org. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  4. ↑ "USNS Vice Adm. K. R. Wheeler". www.msc.usff.navy.mil. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  5. ↑ "USNS Wheeler Performs Demonstration, Holds Tour for Military Officials". DVIDS. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  6. ↑ "Sailors aboard the USNS VADM K.R. Wheeler (T-AG 5001)". Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2022.


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