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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Charlie - Delta - Sierra
 NCDS
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Second Row - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon - Navy Expeditionary Medal (1-Iran/Indian Ocean) - National Defense Service Medal
Third Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (7) - Southwest Asia Service Medal - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Powhatan Class Fleet Ocean Tug:
  • Laid down, 14 December 1977, at Marinette Marine Corp., Marinette, WI.
  • Launched, 22 September 1979
  • Delivered to the Navy, 28 May 1980
  • Assigned to the Military Sealift Command (MSC), and placed in service as USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168)
  • USNS Catawba is assigned to the MSC Pacific Support Force
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,387 t.(lt), 2,000 t.(fl)
    Length 226'
    Beam 42'
    Draft 15' (max)
    Speed 14.5 kts.
    Complement 16 civilians, 4 navy (communications unit)
    Armament two chain guns, two .50 cal machine guns
    Propulsion two GM EMD 20-645F7B diesels (5.73 MW sustained), two shafts, kort nozzles, cp props, bow thruster, 300hp (224KW)
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Catawba 100k USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 MSC
    Catawba 76k USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168) towing Ex-USS Grayback (LPSS-574) out of Subic Bay, P.I. for a SINKEX, 13 August 1986.
    US Navy photo    		 Darryl Baker
    Catawba 115k USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168) at anchor in the Arabian Gulf, 20 June 2003. Catawba is forward deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
    US Navy photo # 030620-N-5362A-003 by PH1 Arlo K. Abrahamson.    		 Navy Newsstand
    Catawba 56k USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168) steams through the waters of the Arabian Gulf. 20 June 2003. Catawba is forward deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
    US Navy photo # 030618-N-5362A-501 by PH1 Arlo K. Abrahamson.    		 Navy Newsstand
    Catawba 106k USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168) with USS Cole (DDG 67) under tow as they depart Aden, Yemen, 29 October 2000. Cole was placed aboard the Norwegian heavy transport ship M/V Blue Marlin and transported back to the United States for repair.
    DoD photo # 001629-M-0557M-011 by Sgt. Don L. Maes, USMC    		 Defense Link
    Catawba 2394k USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168) prepares to conduct a personnel transfer with the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG-72), not pictured. Vella Gulf is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
    081111-N-1082Z-005 INDIAN OCEAN (Nov. 11, 2008) by MC2 Jason R. Zalasky.    		 Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Catawba 2934k Sailors from the visit, board, search, and seizure team assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) conduct compliant boarding training aboard USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168). Vella Gulf is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
    US Navy photo # 081119-N-1082Z-050 INDIAN OCEAN (Nov. 19, 2008) by MC2 Jason R. Zalasky.    		 Lee Wahler
    Catawba 1239k USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168) provides fuel and fresh water to MV Faina following its release by Somali pirates Feb. 5 after holding it for more than four months. The U.S. Navy has remained within visual range of the ship and maintained a 24-hour, 7-days a week presence since it was captured. The Belize-flagged cargo ship is owned and operated by "Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine" and is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related equipment. The ship was attacked on Sept. 25 and forced to proceed to anchorage off the Somali Coast. U.S. 5th Fleet conducts maritime security operations to promote stability and regional economic prosperity.
    US Navy photo # 090206-N-3931M-116 SOMALIA (Feb. 6, 2009) by MC1 Michael R. McCormick.    		 Lee Wahler
    There is no DANFS history currently available for USNS Catawba (T-ATF-168) at Navsource
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
    US Navy Fact File - Fleet Ocean Tugs - T-ATF
    Back to the Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Service Ship Photo Index Back To The Fleet Ocean Tug (ATF) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2009 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 13 February 2009