"Sangamon"-Class CVEs. At the same time C-3 merchant ships were being converted to CVEs, the same was being done with four American fast fleet T-3 mercantile tanker hulls that became the "Sangamon"-class. These ex-oilers had longer flight decks, greater range, were faster, more stable, carried 25-32 aircraft, and carried more fuel than the "Bogue"-Class ships. These improvements made them the choice for escorting troops across the Atlantic for the invasion of North Africa (Operation Torch) and their completion was expedited. Their extra fuel capacity also proved useful in the Pacific. After providing close combat support and combat air patrols for the invasion of the Gilbert Islands (Operation Galvanic), three "Sagamon" carriers still had enough fuel between them to refuel 45 destroyers and two cruisers. More such CVEs might have been constructed, but the critical need for more oilers prevented the conversion of additional mercantile tankers to warships.