USS Camden

Not to be confused with USS Camden (AS-6)

## USS Camden (AOE-2)

USS Camden

**USS *Camden* (AOE-2)** was the second ship of the United States Navy named after the city of Camden, New Jersey that lies on the Delaware River across from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was a *Sacramento*-class fast combat support ship, combining the functions of three logistic support ships in one hull - fleet oiler (AO), ammunition ship (AE), and refrigerated stores ship (AF).

### History

*Camden* was commissioned on 1 April 1967 as the second of four vessels in its class. It was also the 542nd and final contract in the 68-year history of New York Shipbuilding, and the last vessel completed and launched at the shipyard. It was assigned to the Pacific Fleet in September 1967 and was initially homeported in Long Beach, California. For their accomplishments during her first deployment to WestPac in 1968–1969, her crew was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

In August 1974, *Camden* moved to its new homeport of Bremerton, Washington. The ship operated extensively up and down the West Coast of the United States and deployed frequently to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans to support units of the United States Seventh Fleet.

In 1980, *Camden* moved again to the homeport of Bremerton, Washington for an overhaul.

On 20 July 1983 *The New York Times* reported that *Camden* along with seven other vessels in the *Ranger* Carrier Battle Group left San Diego on Friday 15 July 1983 and were headed for the western Pacific when they were rerouted and ordered to steam for Central America to conduct training and flight operations in areas off the coasts of Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras as part of major military exercises planned for that summer. The battle group comprised the carrier *Ranger*, the cruiser *Horne*, the guided missile destroyer *Lynde McCormick*, the destroyers *Fletcher* and *Fife*, the frigate *Marvin Shields*, the oiler *Wichita* and the support ship *Camden*.

On 17 May 1987 USS *Camden* was redirected to assist USS *Stark* after it was attacked by unfriendly fire. USS *Camden*'s job was to unload all of the weapons on board *Stark* in case of further attack.

On 15 August 1991 four airmen from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 11 (HC-11 "Gunbearers") were missing and presumed dead after their helicopter crashed while resupplying ships in the Pacific Ocean 100 miles (160 km) east Wake Island. Search efforts were abandoned about 24 hours later for the CH-46 Sea Knight, which had been operating from *Camden*. Two ships were close by when the aircraft dropped into the water. Two helicopters were immediately launched for an air search, and the ships in the area launched whaleboats to assist in the search. *Camden* was deployed to resupply the aircraft carrier USS *Nimitz* and support ships, which were returning to the U.S. from duty in the Persian Gulf after taking part in Operation Desert Storm. In 1992 CURV-III recovered the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter off of Wake Island in 1992 from a depth of 17,251 feet, the world’s record for deepest salvage at the time.

In March 1996, *Camden* was awarded its third consecutive Battle "E" for demonstrating excellence in all warfare and mission categories.

In October 2000, Camden participated in Operation Determined Response, providing rescue assistance and hospitality services in support of USS *Cole* in the Yemeni port of Aden damaged in a terrorist attack.

In 2004, *Camden* won the Battle "E" again. This was the final year of Battle "E" eligibility for the *Sacramento*-class fast combat support ship.

In January 2005, *Camden* left on its final deployment, an eight-month world tour with USS *Carl Vinson* escorting that carrier to its new homeport in Norfolk, Virginia. *Camden* was decommissioned 14 October 2005 at Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton, Washington, and was disposed of by scrapping at Esco Marine, in Brownsville, Texas.