USS KALAMAZOO
- Name: USS KALAMAZOO
- Ship Class: Destroyer Tender
- Ship Number: AOR-6
- Date Commissioned:
- Status:
Ship History:
HISTORY OF SHIPS NAMED KALAMAZOO
KALAMAZOO (AOR 6) is the second ship of the Fleet to bear the name. The name KALAMAZOO was assigned to one of the four sea-going monitors authorized for construction in 1863. With one exception, these ships were the largest warships of any type ordered by the U.S. Navy during the Civil War. They were designed for a length overall of 345 feet; extreme beam of 56 feet, 8 inches; displacement of 5,660 tons; draft of 17 feet, 6 inches; and a speed of 10 knots. Known as the KALAMAZOO Class, they were intended to fight their four 15-inch guns in a sea way. The construction of all four monitors of the KALAMAZOO Class was suspended 27 November 1865. The name KALAMAZOO was changed to COLOSSUS on 15 June 1869. She remained on the stocks until broken up in 1884.
USS KALAMAZOO (AOG 30) was actually the first ship to bear the name. Built in 1944, she served as a tanker in the Pacific. Her first voyage took her from the West Indies to the Solomon Islands, thence to New Guinea and Leyte in the Philippine Islands. During 1945, she traveled through the Southern Philippines, transporting cargo and fuel from Borneo and Morotai to ports in Mindanao.
KALAMAZOO was decommissioned at New Orleans 18 May 1946. In 1947, she was turned over to the custody of the Maritime Commission for disposal, and was transferred to the Government of Columbia. She still serves that nation as BALS DE LAZO (BT 62).
KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN
The U.S. Navy’s newest KALAMAZOO is named in honor of the City and County in Southwest Michigan. KALAMAZOO is really a community of several cities and villages bound together as one, under a strong county government. Located midway between Chicago and Detroit, KALAMAZOO derives its name from Ke-ke-kala-kala-Mazoo “where the water boils in the pot” given to it by the Pottawatomi Indians.
Originally established as a trading post by Titus Bronson in 1829, on a plain surrounded by seven hills and cradled in the broad sweep of the river’s bend, the area boasts of sandy beaches and blue waters of Lake Michigan to the west, the majesty of Michigan’s vast forest lands to the north, and the panorama of 83 surrounding lakes,
Once known mainly for its stoves, paper mills, and agriculture, that picture is changed today. Prosperous farmlands, paper mills, and allied industries are still the area’s largest single employer, but there are now more than 375 different manufacturing firms producing everything from guitars and pharmaceuticals to automobile and guided missile parts.
Over 190,000 residents of the county, 90,000 in the core city alone, affectionately call Kalamazoo “home.” These friendly people are proud of their reputation for hospitality and progressive metropolitan culture, and through their efforts, Kalamazoo twice has been awarded the title “All-American City.” We of USS KALAMAZOO (AOR 6) are very proud of our Kalamazoo, Michigan namesake.
BUILT BY GENERAL DYNAMICS QUINCY SHIPBUILDING DIVISION KEEL LAID . . . . . . . . . . . 28 October 1970 LAUNCHED. . . . . . . . . . . .11 November 1972 COMMISSIONED. . . . . . . . . . .11 August 1973 SPONSOR OF THE SHIP . . . . Mrs. Charles L. Ill SHIP’S STATISTICSLENGTH 659 Feet DISPLACEMENT 37,000 Tons
BEAM 96 Feet CREW 22 Officers,
DRAFT 36 Feet 398 Enlisted
The officers and men of USS KALAMAZOO (AOR 6) take pleasure in welcoming you aboard. KALAMAZOO is the sixth addition to a versatile, seven-ship class of United States Navy supply ship, the Fleet replenishment oiler. Replenishment oilers are named in honor of U.S. cities and rivers whose names are of American Indian origin. Other ships in the class include USS WICHITA (AOR 1), USS MILWAUKEE (AOR 2), USS KANSAS CITY (AOR 3), USS SAVANNAH (AOR 4), USS WABASH (AOR 5), and USS ROANOKE (AOR 7). Representing a “one-stop-at-sea,” KALAMAZOO’s primary mission is to carry a wide range of logistic supplies for our combatant ships. Originally conceived to operate with an Anti- Submarine Task Force, the replenishment oilers have proven to be of ever greater versatility. KALAMAZOO is designed to deliver cargo and fuel to ships steaming alongside, using modern transfer-at-sea equipment and helicopters. Fuel oil and jet fuel is provided through large hoses suspended by cable highline; frozen meats and vegetables, and ammunition, including missiles, are transferred by the rapid Standard Tensioned Replenishment-At-Sea Method (STREAM). A helicopter platform with two complete hangars and repair facilities, provides a base for helicopters used in Vertical Replenishment Operation (VERTREP). KALAMAZOO can utilize a sustained speed of 20 knots.
Fuel products carried include diesel fuel-marine (F-76) and jet fuel (F-44). The cargo magazines carry missiles, gun ammunition, torpedoes, and pyrotechnics for use by other combatants. The ship carries enough food to supply 4,500 men for thirty days.
At sea, KALAMAZOO is a self-contained unit. She holds over 75 tons of dry provisions and refrigerated stores, just to feed the crew. The superbly equipped crew’s galley serves over one thousand hot meals daily. KALAMAZOO is also equipped with a laundry, library, dispensary, barber shop, post office, gymnasium, bakery, and a shipboard radio (WAOR) and TV station (WKZO). The crew’s dining area, all berthing spaces, and most working spaces, are all air-conditioned.
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of KALAMAZOO is the men who man her. KALAMAZOO Sailors are well-trained and skilled in all aspects of shipboard technology, and represent the modern United States Navy man.
SHIELD
The shield is symbolic of defense. The seven points refer to the seven seas of the world, and to the seven hills that surround the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan, for which the ship was named, the color green also alluding to the celery fields of the area and to the vast forest lands to the north. The black bar, representing oil, above the wavy blue lines symbolic of water, alludes to the ship’s mission as a Fleet replenishment oiler to supply fuel, ammunition and stores to the operating forces at sea. The red “Bravo” flag is flown at the time of refueling and transferring of ammunition. The four arrowheads, representing the major points of a compass, refer to the added supply versatility of the ship to supply others vessels, while underway, by the use of helicopters operating from its stern platform.
CREST
The wreath is in the Navy colors of gold and blue. The gold pilot’s steering wheel symbolizes leadership, guidance, and achievement, while the Indian tomahawks, used as a tool and a weapon, allude to the Indian heritage of Kalamazoo. The two Tomahawks also symbolize the fact that the KALAMAZOO is the second ship of the Fleet to bear the same name.
