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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Papa - Tango - Delta
 NPTD
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Unit Commendation - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2)
Bottom Row - National Defense Service Medal - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2) - Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Henry J. Kaiser Class Fleet Oiler:
  • Laid down, 13 July 1989, at Avondale Industries, Westwego, LA.
  • Launched, 22 September, 1990
  • Delivered to the Navy and placed in service with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) as USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196), 6 December 1991
  • USNS Kanawha is a unit of the MSC Naval Auxiliary Force, MSC Europe
    Specifications:
    Displacement 9,500 t.(lt) 42,382 t.(fl)
    Length 677'
    Beam 97' 5"
    Draft 35' (max.)
    Cargo Capacity 178,000-bbls
    Speed 20 kts.
    Armament none
    Complement Civilians, 18 Officers, 64 Merchant Seamen, Navy, 1 Officer, 20 Enlisted
    Aircraft helicopter platform only
    Propulsion two medium speed Colt-Pielstick PC4-2/2 10V-570 diesel engines, twin shafts, 16,000 hp per shaft
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Kanawha 72k USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) moored pierside at Naval Station Norfolk, spring 1992. John Chiquoine
    Kanawha 258k USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 MSC web site
    CVN-69 Eisenhower 59k

    USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) refuels USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and the guided missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG-71) during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), 2 October 1999.
    US Navy Photo (# 991002-N-7750C-011) by PH3 David E. Carter II

    		 US Navy Newsstand web site
    Kanawha 49k USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS) with USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and USS The Sullivans (DDG-68), 3 March 2002, eastern Mediterranean Sea. Photo taken from USS Hue City (CG-66). Photo by Lt. Steve Dundas, CHC USNR USS Hue City
    Kanawha 50k USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS) with USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), 3 March 2002, eastern Mediterranean Sea. Photo taken from USS Hue City (CG-66). Photo by Lt. Steve Dundas, CHC USNR USS Hue City
    CVN-73 George Washington 112k USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) conducts a replenishment at sea with USS George Washington (CVN-73), in the Atlantic Ocean, 11 September 2003. The carrier was conducting carrier qualifications.
    US Navy photo # 030911-N-6278K-002 by PHAN Joan Kretschmer    		 US Navy Newsstand
    Kanawha 58k USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) entering Grand Harbour, Valleta, Malta in September 2004 Robert Hurst
    Kanawha 69k USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196), assisted by tugs, as she enters Valleta Port, Malta for repairs at Malta Shipyards Anthony Vella, Senglea, Malta
    Kanawha 75k USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) berthed at Malta Shipyards, ex Malta Drydocks, for repairs, 22 September 2004. Astern of Kanawha is her sister ship USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201). Anthony Vella, Senglea, Malta
    Kanawha 62k USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) departing Grand Harbour, Valleta, Malta, circa September-October 2004 Robert Hurst
    Kanawha 86k USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) pulls alongside USS Nimitz (CVN 68) prior to conducting an underway replenishment (UNREP).
    US Navy photo # 070510-N-0890S-036 INDIAN OCEAN (May 10, 2007) by MCSA David L. Smar.    		 Lee Wahler
    Kanawha 1243k USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) positions herself for a replenishment operation with the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) during an underway replenishment exercise. USS George H.W. Bush is currently underway off the coast of Virginia.
    US Navy photo # 090604-N-4938S-015 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 4, 2009) by MCSA J. Scott St.Clair.    		 Lee Wahler
    Kanawha 1006k CDR. Christopher Stopyra, commanding officer of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43) points to show the distance of the phone and distance lines during a replenishment at sea with USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196). Fort McHenry is deployed with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
    US Navy photo # 091008-N-5345W-205 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Oct. 8, 2009) by MC2 Kristopher Wilson.    		 Lee Wahler
    Kanawha 1063k USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) conducts a replenishment at sea with the amphibious transport dock USS Ponce (LPD-15) and the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group is conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
    US Navy photo # 091008-N-9740S-014 U.S. 5th FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Oct. 8, 2009) by MCC Tony Sisti.    		 Lee Wahler
    Kanawha 2008k Sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG-65) stand by as USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) approaches for a replenishment at sea. Chosin is the flagship of Combined Joint Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia.
    US Navy photo # 100105-N-2600H-014 GULF OF ADEN (Jan. 5, 2009) by MC2 Matthew A. Hepburn.    		 Lee Wahler
    Kanawha 1128k Religious Programs Specialist Seaman Michael A. Papineau observes the refueling lines from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland as she conducts a replenishment at sea with USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196). Ashland is deployed as part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group with Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (NAS ARG/24th MEU) supporting maritime security operations and theater security operations efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.
    US Navy photo # 100223-N-1082Z-071 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Feb. 23, 2010) by MC2 Jason R. Zalasky.    		 Lee Wahler
    Kanawha 1250k USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) pulls away after conducting a replenishment at sea with the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland. Ashland is deployed as part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group with Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (NAS ARG/24th MEU) supporting maritime security operations and theater security operations efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.US Navy photo # 100223-N-1082Z-102 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Feb. 23, 2010) by MC2 Jason R. Zalasky. Lee Wahler
    Kanawha 1152k Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) heave to on a line connected to USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) during a replenishment at sea. Arleigh Burke is continuing independent deployer certifications after completing Exercise Joint Warrior 2011-2.
    US Navy photo # 111019-N-FI736-198 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 19, 2011) by MC3 Scott Pittman.    		 Lee Wahler
    Kanawha 1021k USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) shortly after refueling USS The Sullivans (DDG-68), 9 February 2012, near Souda Bay, Crete. Photo taken from The Sullivans. Charles L. Tompkins
    Kanawha 148k The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG-72) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196). Mahan, homeported in Norfolk, VA., is on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the US 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
    US Navy photo #130427-N-KA046-232 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (April 27, 2013) by MC2 James Turner.    		 Lee Wahler
    There is no DANFS history available for USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    U.S. Navy Oilers
    Navy Fact File - Underway Replenishment Oilers - T-AO
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 3 May 2013