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USNS Santa Barbara (T-AE 28)

USNS SANTA BARBARA was the third ship in the KILAUEA - class of Ammunition Ships and the third ship in the Navy to bear the name of the seaside resort and residential city in southwestern California. Transfered to the Military Sealift Command, the SANTA BARBARA was finally retired on August 5, 2005. In 2006, the SANTA BARBARA was towed to Brownsville, Tx., for scrapping.

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USNS SANTA BARBARA. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

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• Click here to see which USNS SANTA BARBARA memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS SANTA BARBARA Cruise Books:

• Mediterranean Cruise Book 1971-72
• Mediterranean Cruise Book 1994

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Accidents aboard USS/USNS SANTA BARBARA:

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History of USS/USNS SANTA BARBARA:

USS SANTA BARBARA was built by Bethlehem Steel Corporation at Sparrows Point, Maryland. Her keel was laid on December 30, 1966, and she was launched on January 23, 1968, sponsored by Mrs. Graeme C. Bannerman, wife of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Logistics. SANTA BARBARA was commissioned on July 11, 1970, with Captain Charles A. Whitmore in command. She was named for the city of Santa Barbara, California.

Following commissioning, SANTA BARBARA underwent fitting-out work at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. She then proceeded to her designated home port at Davisville, Rhode Island, arriving there on September 18, 1970. On October 6, she conducted her first underway replenishment, beginning the type of operation that would remain at the center of her service for almost three decades. SANTA BARBARA departed Davisville on October 15, 1970, for the Caribbean and approximately six weeks of shakedown training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The shakedown period was completed on November 25, and the ship returned to Davisville on December 5.

On January 11, 1971, SANTA BARBARA got underway for her first regular ammunition loadout. She proceeded to Naval Ammunition Depot Earle, New Jersey, and completed the loadout four days later at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Virginia. After a short period at Davisville, she departed on February 1 for her first regularly scheduled fleet exercise. During Operation Springboard, SANTA BARBARA operated from Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, with units of Task Force 27. By February 25, she had rearmed 17 ships and transferred more than 400 tons of missiles, bombs and projectiles. The exercise provided sustained practical experience in the ammunition-transfer mission for which the new ship had been designed.

On March 15, 1971, SANTA BARBARA entered Boston Naval Shipyard for an availability lasting approximately two months. She departed the yard on June 25 and arrived at Davisville the following day. During July she returned to Guantanamo Bay for refresher training before returning to Davisville in August.

In September 1971, SANTA BARBARA departed on her first Mediterranean deployment. She entered the operating cycle of the Sixth Fleet and provided ammunition support to naval forces throughout the region. Her duties involved loading ammunition at shore facilities, proceeding to fleet operating areas, transferring ordnance to combatant ships underway and then returning to logistics facilities to replenish her own magazines. The deployment continued through the winter, and SANTA BARBARA returned to the United States on March 17, 1972.

She sailed again in April 1972 for a shorter Caribbean cruise and returned to Rhode Island late in May. On June 5, she departed on a substantially longer assignment, this time to the western Pacific. The deployment coincided with the final major phase of direct U.S. combat operations in the Vietnam War. After crossing from the Atlantic to the Pacific, SANTA BARBARA entered the Seventh Fleet logistics system and spent approximately seven months in Asian waters. Her function was to move ammunition from rear logistics facilities to the operating fleet, particularly the carrier and surface forces engaged in operations connected with the war in Vietnam. Carrier air operations during 1972 consumed substantial quantities of bombs, missiles and other aviation ordnance, while cruisers and destroyers conducting naval gunfire missions required replacement ammunition. Ammunition ships allowed these combatants to replenish while remaining near their assigned operating areas.

SANTA BARBARA received Vietnam campaign credit for July 26-August 7, August 14-23, September 8-14, September 22-October 3, October 24-November 5, November 12-December 3 and December 11-21, 1972, followed by January 6-18, 1973. These periods covered much of the intensive naval and air activity associated with the final months of American combat operations against North Vietnam. Her service qualified the ship for one Vietnam campaign star. By early February 1973 the deployment was ending. SANTA BARBARA entered Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on February 5 after approximately seven months in Asian waters. She continued eastward and returned to the Atlantic through the Panama Canal. On February 22 she arrived at Quonset Point, Rhode Island.

During the remainder of 1973, SANTA BARBARA operated primarily along the eastern coast of the United States and in the Caribbean. These operations included ammunition transport, fleet-support training and routine underway replenishment work. Late in October, she also conducted replenishment training with USS BUTTE (AE 27) during the latter ship's post-deployment training period.

SANTA BARBARA continued Atlantic and Caribbean operations during the first three months of 1974. In April, she began another Mediterranean deployment, once again joining the Sixth Fleet logistics organization. The cruise took place during a period of continuing tension in the eastern Mediterranean following the October 1973 Arab-Israeli War. Her documented role remained ammunition and logistics support for Sixth Fleet forces.

During the remainder of the 1970s, SANTA BARBARA continued the cycle characteristic of Atlantic Fleet ammunition ships: ammunition loading at East Coast naval weapons facilities, fleet training, Caribbean operations, Mediterranean deployments, maintenance availabilities and periods of overhaul. A cruise book documents another deployment in 1977.

SANTA BARBARA continued Mediterranean and Atlantic Fleet logistics operations into the closing years of the decade. Her repeated assignments with the Sixth Fleet required her to move among established ammunition facilities and operating areas, replenishing aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, frigates and amphibious ships while underway.

During the early 1980s, SANTA BARBARA continued deploying to the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean as well as operating in the Caribbean. The strategic environment had changed significantly since her first Sixth Fleet cruises. The Iranian Revolution, the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in November 1979, the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan and the Iran-Iraq War increased the requirement for a sustained American naval presence in the Indian Ocean and waters approaching the Persian Gulf. Combat logistics ships based with the Atlantic Fleet increasingly supported forces operating east of the Suez Canal as well as the traditional Sixth Fleet stations in the Mediterranean.

A cruise book documents a 1982-1983 deployment by SANTA BARBARA. The period coincided with continuing instability in Lebanon, where American naval forces supported U.S. participation in the multinational force in and around Beirut. Ammunition ships formed part of the wider logistics network sustaining the carrier and surface forces maintained in the eastern Mediterranean during the crisis.

SANTA BARBARA remained part of the Atlantic Fleet combat logistics force during 1983 and 1984. By the autumn of 1984, she was deployed with a force centered on USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62). Other ships in the group included USS JOSEPHUS DANIELS (CG 27), USS JOHN KING (DDG 3), USS HAYLER (DD 997), USS ESTOCIN (FFG 15), USS MCCANDLESS (FF 1084) and USS PLATTE (AO 186).

On November 3 and November 4, 1984, the group conducted dual-carrier operations with a second naval force centered on USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69). From November 5 through November 7, the two groups participated in Exercise Sea Wind with Egyptian forces. The exercise provided training in air defense, coordinated formation maneuvering and operations involving large multinational naval formations. SANTA BARBARA provided ammunition logistics capability to the INDEPENDENCE group throughout these evolutions.

The 1984-1985 operational cycle continued with Mediterranean and Indian Ocean duties. During the middle of the decade, SANTA BARBARA also underwent maintenance and training periods in preparation for subsequent deployments.

On August 18, 1986, SANTA BARBARA sailed with the battle group centered on USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67). Other ships in the deploying force included USS BAINBRIDGE (CGN 25), USS MCCANDLESS, USS NICHOLAS (FFG 47), USS HARRY E. YARNELL (CG 17), USS DAHLGREN (DDG 43), USS MOOSBRUGGER (DD 980), USS ELMER MONTGOMERY (FF 1082), USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY (FFG 49) and USS SAVANNAH (AOR 4).

The group reached Rota, Spain, on August 28. During the deployment, the force participated in NATO Exercise Display Determination 86, a large multinational exercise that began in September and extended into October. The exercise involved naval forces from several alliance members and included air, surface and naval gunfire training in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions. SANTA BARBARA continued ammunition-support operations for the battle group during the deployment. Following her return to the United States, SANTA BARBARA underwent the maintenance, training and qualification work required before another overseas deployment.

On February 25, 1988, SANTA BARBARA conducted a major ammunition evolution with USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) during the carrier's training period. The evolution combined connected and vertical replenishment and involved approximately 650 ammunition lifts.

Later in 1988, SANTA BARBARA again deployed to the Mediterranean as part of a force associated with USS JOHN F. KENNEDY. Official Navy photography from August 12 records SANTA BARBARA as part of a large Task Group 24.4 formation crossing the Atlantic toward the Mediterranean. The deployment continued through the remainder of 1988 and into early 1989.

In September 1989, Hurricane Hugo caused extensive destruction across the northeastern Caribbean and subsequently along the coast of South Carolina. SANTA BARBARA was among the U.S. Navy ships involved in relief activity after the hurricane. Other participating ships included USS WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD 41), USS SPARTANBURG COUNTY (LST 1192), USS PRESERVER (ARS 8), USS BAINBRIDGE, USS PENSACOLA (LSD 38), USS AUSTIN (LPD 4), USS PREBLE (DDG 46), USS CLIFTON SPRAGUE (FFG 16), USS SEMMES (DDG 18), USS STEPHEN W. GROVES (FFG 29), USNS NEOSHO (T-AO 143), USS DAHLGREN, USS VALDEZ (FF 1096) and USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44). Navy and Marine Corps personnel provided relief throughout the affected Caribbean area while additional forces supported recovery efforts around Charleston.

SANTA BARBARA continued Atlantic Fleet operations after the hurricane response. In March 1990, she participated in a major ammunition redistribution off Florida as USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) completed its 1989-1990 world cruise. Before entering Norfolk, USS ENTERPRISE conducted an ammunition offload involving USS SARATOGA (CV 60), USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT and SANTA BARBARA.

Later in 1990, the international situation changed sharply following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on August 2. The United States and its coalition partners began deploying large military forces to Southwest Asia under Operation Desert Shield. SANTA BARBARA subsequently deployed in support of the buildup and participated in both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. During the 1990-1991 deployment, she supported U.S. naval forces operating in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf region. When coalition combat operations began on January 17, 1991, naval aircraft and surface forces required a continuing flow of aviation ordnance, missiles, projectiles and other ammunition. SANTA BARBARA formed part of the combat logistics system maintaining ammunition supplies to the deployed fleet. Her operations continued through the combat phase of Desert Storm and into the postwar period after the cease-fire of February 28.

Following the Gulf War, SANTA BARBARA remained active with Atlantic Fleet forces. During training off the U.S. East Coast in 1991 she also participated in simultaneous underway and vertical replenishment operations with USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) and USS MERRIMACK (AO 179), providing ammunition while the oiler supplied fuel.

SANTA BARBARA continued fleet operations into 1992 and then prepared for another major Mediterranean deployment. USS JOHN F. KENNEDY departed for deployment on October 7, 1992, conducted carrier qualifications and began the transatlantic passage on October 9. The accompanying force included USS GETTYSBURG (CG 64), USS LEYTE GULF (CG 55), USS WAINWRIGHT (CG 28), USS CARON (DD 970), USS HALYBURTON (FFG 40), USS McINERNEY (FFG 8), USS CAPODANNO (FF 1093), USS SEAHORSE (SSN 669), USS ALBUQUERQUE (SSN 706), SANTA BARBARA and USS KALAMAZOO (AOR 6).

The battle group passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on October 18 and the Strait of Messina three days later. USS JOHN F. KENNEDY anchored off Brindisi, Italy, on October 22 for turnover with USS SARATOGA. SANTA BARBARA remained part of the logistics force supporting the battle group as it entered operations associated with the developing international response to the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia.

During the winter of 1992-1993, American and NATO naval forces maintained an increasing presence in the Mediterranean and Adriatic in connection with international efforts to monitor and enforce measures arising from the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. SANTA BARBARA continued her ammunition-support role for deployed naval units throughout the cruise.

SANTA BARBARA remained active with Atlantic Fleet forces after this deployment. Official Navy records document another cruise in 1993 and a further deployment in 1994. During the latter, contemporary Navy documentation places her operating with USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) during the carrier's first Mediterranean deployment. U.S. naval forces at the time continued to maintain commitments associated with both the Balkans and the Middle East.

After returning from the 1994 deployment, SANTA BARBARA continued maintenance, training and ammunition-support operations from the U.S. East Coast. Naval Weapons Station Charleston in South Carolina served as her later home port and provided direct access to one of the Atlantic Fleet's principal ammunition facilities.

In October 1995, SANTA BARBARA participated in a major ammunition offload by USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT. From October 20 through October 22, the carrier conducted ammunition offload operations off the Virginia coast, including connected replenishment with SANTA BARBARA. USS ENTERPRISE was also present during this period. The evolution formed part of USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT's preparations for a subsequent maintenance period.

SANTA BARBARA continued Atlantic Fleet support duties during 1996. In December, USS GUNSTON HALL, USS SUPPLY (AOE 6), SANTA BARBARA and USS AUSTIN participated in an underway replenishment evolution.

During 1997, SANTA BARBARA remained available for Atlantic Fleet operations and carried out training in preparation for another overseas assignment. By early 1998, she had completed the work required for what would become her final deployment as a commissioned U.S. Navy ship. On February 26, 1998, SANTA BARBARA departed on her final deployment, proceeding to the Mediterranean and subsequently toward the Arabian Gulf. The deployment occurred during a renewed confrontation between Iraq and the United States over Iraqi compliance with United Nations weapons-inspection requirements and while American naval forces continued enforcing sanctions and Operation Southern Watch.

SANTA BARBARA crossed the Mediterranean and proceeded through the Suez Canal toward the Middle East. On March 31, USS COLE (DDG 67), then operating in the Arabian Gulf, conducted a replenishment at sea with SANTA BARBARA. USS COLE was participating in maritime interception operations associated with enforcement of United Nations sanctions against Iraq. On April 23, USS COLE conducted a vertical replenishment with SANTA BARBARA while operating in the region. Another vertical replenishment between the two ships followed on May 20.

The deployment continued through the summer of 1998, with SANTA BARBARA supporting naval forces assigned to operations in and around the Arabian Gulf before beginning her return toward the United States. On completing the cruise, the ship entered the final preparations for retirement from commissioned service.

USS SANTA BARBARA was formally decommissioned on September 30, 1998. On the same date, she was transferred to the Military Sealift Command, Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, and redesignated USNS SANTA BARBARA (T-AE 28). The administrative change removed her from commissioned warship status while retaining the ship in the Navy's ammunition-logistics inventory. Under Military Sealift Command, the ship was retained primarily as reserve ammunition-lift capacity rather than continuing the regular deployment schedule that had characterized her commissioned career. By the end of the 1990s, she was being maintained in reduced operating status.

USNS SANTA BARBARA remained in the Military Sealift Command inventory into the first years of the twenty-first century while the Navy progressively prepared to replace the older specialized ammunition ships with newer logistics vessels capable of carrying ammunition, dry stores and other cargo. On August 3, 2005, SANTA BARBARA was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register, ending her formal status in the Navy's ship inventory. The former ammunition ship was subsequently taken to Brownsville, Texas, for disposal by dismantling. The Naval History and Heritage Command records October 10, 2007, as the final date of her scrapping.

During her commissioned career, SANTA BARBARA received four Battle "E" Efficiency Awards and two Meritorious Unit Commendations in addition to other departmental awards.

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USS/USNS SANTA BARBARA Patch Gallery:

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USS/USNS SANTA BARBARA Image Gallery:

The photos below were taken and contributed by Michael Martin. They show the SANTA BARBARA shortly after her arrival at Brownsville, Tx, waiting to be scrapped (the first two photos) and undergoing scrapping. The photos were taken on November 15, 2006, and on February 6, 2007.

        

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