NAVY FACT FILE
 
MISSION: The mission of the fleet oiler is to operate as a unit of 
an underway replenishment group, furnishing replenishment of 
petroleum products to the fleet at sea. Oilers will transport bulk 
petroleum and lubricants from depots to battle group station ships 
effecting delivery and consolidation underway. In addition, they 
will be capable of delivering petroleum and cargo to combatants and 
support forces by alongside and vertical replenishment. 

COMMENTARY: The number of Navy-manned fleet oilers has diminished 
as more and more Military Sealift Command ships, all civilian 
manned, have assumed responsibilities for supplying ships of the 
fleet. The Navy plans to "jumboize" all five ships of the fleet. 
The AO Jumbo program is designed to increase the 120,000 barrel 
fuel capacity of these ships to 150,000 barrels and add the 
capability of carrying 600 tons of cargo ammunition. 

CIMARRON CLASS (AO-177) 
Displacement:   27,500 tons full load 
Length:     592 feet 
Beam:        88 feet 
Speed:        20 knots 
Power Plant:  Two boilers, one steam turbine, one 
              shaft, 24,000 shaft horsepower 
Aircraft:  None 
Armament:  Two 20mm Phalanx close-in weapons systems  
Complement:     215 
 
 
USS WILLIAMETTE (AO 180)

Cargo Capacity: 120,000 
barrels 
Builder:   Avondale Shipyards 
@HEAD LEVEL 2 = Units: 
USS Cimarron (AO-177); Pearl Harbor, HI 
USS Monongahela (AO-178); Norfolk, VA 
USS Merrimack (AO-179); Norfolk, VA 
USS Willamette (AO-180); Pearl Harbor, HI 
USS Platte (AO-186); Norfolk, VA 

ASHTABULA CLASS (AO 51)  

Displacement:   34,750 tons full load 
Length:        644 feet 
Beam:           75 feet 
Speed:          18 knots 

Power Plant:    Steam turbine, four boilers, two shafts, 
                13,500 shaft horsepower 
Armament:  Two 3-inch/50-caliber anti-aircraft weapons 
Aircraft:  None; a small area for vertical replenishment is provided 
Complement:    372 
 
Builder:   Bethlehem Steel, Sparrows Point,  MD 
Units: 
USS Caloosahatchee (AO-98); Norfolk, VA 
USS Canisteo (AO-99); Norfolk, VA 

SOURCE: Department of the Navy (OP-03PA); Washington, DC 
20350-2000; (202) 694-6049