The United States Navy
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Aviation Logistics Ships – T-AVB

Updated: September 22, 2003

image of SS Wright Description: Two aviation logistics support ships are assigned to the Military Sealift Command Maritime Prepositioning Program. They carry aviation maintenance equipment in support of U.S. Marine Corps fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

Features: SS Wright and SS Curtiss are outfitted with both a stern ramp and side ports. Their roll-on/roll-off deck runs the complete length of the ship. When outfitted with mobile facilities, the ships can service aircraft while anchored offshore.

Background: SS Wright and SS Curtiss are U.S. Maritime Administration ships permanently assigned to Military Sealift Command's Maritime Prepositioning Program to enhance the U.S. Marine Corp's aviation maintenance support ability. The ships normally are kept in reduced operating status with a cadre crew aboard. SS Wright and SS Curtiss were converted by Todd Shipyards of Galveston, Texas in 1986 and 1987, respectively.


Point of Contact:
Office of Public Affairs
Military Sealift Command
Washington, DC 20398-5540
(202) 685-5055 or www.msc.navy.mil

General Characteristics: Wright Class

Builder: Todd Shipyards, Galveston, Texas
Power Plant: 2 combustion engineering boilers; 2 GE turbines; 30,000 hp; 1 shaft
Length: 602 feet (183.61 meters)
Beam: 90.2 feet (27.51 meters)
Measurement: 11,757 dead weight tons
Displacement: 23,872 tons (24,254 metric tons) full load
Speed: 19 knots (21.87 mph)
Ships:
SS Wright (ex-SS Young America) (T-AVB 3)
SS Curtiss (ex-SS Great Republic) (T-AVB 4)
Crew: 37 crew and 1 Aircraft Maintenance Detachment totaling 362 men.


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