USS Rainier (AOE-7)
_fast_combat_support_ship_USNS_Rainier_(T-AOE_7)_shown_underway_in_the_Western_Pacific_Ocean.jpg)
USNS Rainier in 2004
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| History | |
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 United States
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| Name: | USNS Rainier (T-AOE-7) |
| Namesake: | Mount Rainier |
| Operator: | Military Sealift Command |
| Ordered: | 3 November 1988 |
| Builder: | National Steel and Shipbuilding Company San Diego, California |
| Laid down: | 31 May 1990 |
| Launched: | 28 September 1991 |
| Commissioned: | 21 January 1995 |
| Decommissioned: | 28 August 2003 |
| In service: | 29 August 2003 |
| Out of service: | 1 October 2016 |
| Homeport: | Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton, Washington |
| Identification: |
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| Motto: | The Legend Of Service |
| Status: | Deactivated as of 2016 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Supply-class fast combat support ship |
| Displacement: | approx. 48,800 tons (49,600 t) |
| Length: | 754.6 ft (230.0 m) |
| Beam: | 107 ft (33 m) |
| Draught: | 39 ft (12 m) |
| Propulsion: | four General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines 105,000 hp (78 MW) |
| Speed: | 26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph) |
| Complement: | 176 civilians, 30 military |
| Aircraft carried: | Two MH-60S |
The third US Navy vessel named after Mount Rainier, USNS Rainier (T-AOE-7), ex-USS Rainier (AOE-7), is the second ship in the Supply class of fast combat support ships. On September 28, 1991, the ship's sponsor - Mrs. Suzanne Callison Dicks, wife of Norm Dicks - christened 'AOE-7' as Rainier. Rainier was commissioned on January 21, 1995 at Bremerton, Washington - Captain Thomas P. Danaher, USN, commanding.
Rainier has the speed to keep up with the carrier strike groups. She rapidly replenishes Navy task forces. She receives petroleum products, ammunition and stores from shuttle ships and redistributes these items simultaneously to carrier strike group ships. This reduces the vulnerability of serviced ships by reducing alongside time.
In April 2013, it was announced that the Military Sealift Command will take Rainier and her sister USNS Bridge out of service in 2014 as a cost-saving measure. The Rainer was finally deactivated on 1 October 2016
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.
Contract design was completed in February 1986 and steel fabrication work for Rainier began on August 16, 1986 at National Steel and Shipbuilding (NASSCO) in San Diego, California. The official keel laying was conducted on May 31, 1990.
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