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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USNS Sirius (T-AFS-8)
ex
RFA Lyness (A-339) (1966 - 1981)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Papa - Golf - Alpha NPGA

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Unit Commendation (6) - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (3)
Second Row - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon - Navy Expeditionary Medal (2-Lebanon, 1-Libya) - National Defense Service Medal
Third Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (5) - Southwest Asia Service Medal (2) - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Sirius Class Combat Stores Ship:

Laid down, 1 April 1965, at Swan, Hunter and Wingham, United Kingdom for the Royal Navy as RFA Lyness (A-339)

Launched, 1 April 1966

Purchased by US Navy, 1 January 1981,

Renamed USNS Sirius (T-AFS-8), 18 Jan 1981.

USNS Sirius was a unit of the MSC Naval Auxiliary Force, MSC Atlantic

Deactivated, by the Military Sealift Command 1 July 2005

Struck from the Naval Register the same day and transferred to the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)

Custody assigned to the Texas Maritime Academy to serve as training ship TS Texas Clipper III replacing TS Texas Clipper II ex-USNS Chauvenet (T-AGS-29)

Conversion to a school ship canceled, custody returned to MARAD, 14 January 2009

Downgraded to non-retention, 28 April 2009

Final Disposition, sold for scrap to ESCO Marine, Inc., 5 May 2014. The vessel departed Beaumont Reserve Fleet, 28 May 2014 arriving at ESCO Marine, Inc., in Brownsville, TX, 1 June 2014. The vessel was completely dismantled and all materials recycled and properly disposed of by 22 January 2015.

Specifications:
Displacement 10,205 t. (lt), 16,680 t. (fl)
Dead Weight 6475 t.
Length 523' (ovl)
Beam 72'
Draft 26 ft. Maximum Navigational
Speed 18 knots
Aircraft Two UH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
Armament None
Complement 123 Civilian, 47 Navy
Propulsion one Diesel engine, 11,520 brake horsepower, single propeller

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
RFA Lyness (A-339)
	126k	*RFA Lyness* (A-339)** ships crest.	TJ Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	59k	*RFA Lyness* (A-339)** getting underway after a refit at the Cammell Laird Yard, Birkenhead, England in August 1969.	TJ Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius, courtesy RFA Association, Plymouth & District Branch, The Mortimore Gallery
	51k	*RFA Lyness* (A-339)** underway, date and location unknown.	TJ Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius, courtesy RFA Association, Plymouth & District Branch, The Mortimore Gallery
	41k	*RFA Lyness* (A-339)** underway in June 1970, and location unknown.	Robert Hurst
	70k	*RFA Lyness* (A-339) background with Royal Navy fleet replenishment tanker RFA Olwen (A-122), the general-purpose (A/S) frigate HMS Juno (F-52)** foreground, date and location unknown.	Robert Hurst
	177k	*RFA Lyness* (A-339) underway during Exercise PASSIX along with the amphibious assault ship HMS Intrepid (L11) and the training ship FGS Deutschland (A59)** in the Bay of Biscay, June 1980. Photo taken by Jimmykreislauf (real name unknown).	Robert Hurst
	51k	*RFA Lyness* (A-339)** underway, date and location unknown. Official Royal Navy photo.	Robert Hurst
USNS Sirius (T-AFS-8)
0913001510	23k	*Namesake* Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky.	Tommy Trampp
	92k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) and USNS Rigel (T-AF-58)** underway in the Mediterranean, circa 1981. US Navy photo	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	44k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) moored pierside at Port Canaveral, FL. Sirius was in port to load supplies that were offloaded at Salvador, Brazil for UNITAS XXXIII. In the background is the USNS Range Sentinel (T-AGM 22)**.	Photo by T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	58k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) downloading to USS San Diego (AFS-6)** while underway, circa 1983. USNS Sirius was returning to the US to undergo a yard period at Braswell Shipyard in South Carolina, at which time she was converted to a fully capable AFS, receiving her helo hanger and enhanced unrep capabilities. US Navy photo	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	74k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) downloading to USS San Diego (AFS-6)** while underway, circa 1983, prior to entering Braswell Shipyard, South Carolina to improve her unrep capabilities. US Navy photo	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	80k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) downloading to USS San Diego (AFS-6)** while underway, circa 1983, prior to entering Braswell Shipyard, South Carolina to improve her unrep capabilities. US Navy photo	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	73k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) downloading to USS San Diego (AFS-6)** while underway, circa 1983, prior to entering Braswell Shipyard, South Carolina to improve her unrep capabilities. US Navy photo	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	53k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) downloading to USS San Diego (AFS-6)** while underway, circa 1983, prior to entering Braswell Shipyard, South Carolina to improve her unrep capabilities. US Navy photo	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	67k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** enroute to Norfolk, VA. from Braswell Shipyard in South Carolina after her AFS conversion, 1983. US Navy photo	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	55k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** enroute to Norfolk, VA. from Braswell Shipyard in South Carolina after her AFS conversion, 1983. US Navy photo	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	64k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** enroute to Norfolk, VA. from Braswell Shipyard in South Carolina after her AFS conversion, 1983. US Navy photo	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	65k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS 8)** enroute in 1983 from the Braswell Shipyard to Norfolk, VA following her AFS conversion. US Navy photo.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	352k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) (background) and USS Emory S. Land (AS-39)** (foreground) underway, date and location unknown.	TJ Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius, courtesy of CAPT. David Volonino.
	56k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** moored pierside at Naval Station Norfolk, VA., October 1983 Department of Defense Visual Imaging Center photo	Fred Weiss
09520867	258k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) and USNS Saturn (T-AFS-10)*, probably transferring cargo between the outgoing and incoming AFS to the Mediterranean area, date unknown. Photo courtesy Captain James Dolan, MSC, Master for the USNS Sirius*	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	71k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) moored inboard of USNS Saturn (T-AFS-10)** while at Malaga, Spain circa 1984-85. US Navy photo	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN USNS Sirius
09520841	46k	Bow and stern views of, from left to right; *USNS Rigel* (T-AF-58), USNS Sirius (T-AFS-8) and USS Concord (AFS-5)** moored at Malaga, Spain, circa 1-6 June 1986. US Navy photos	Photo by T.J. Tropea RM1 USN USNS Sirius
09520842	56k		Photo by T.J. Tropea RM1 USN USNS Sirius
09520843	103k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** moored pierside at Gibraltar, circa 1990s.	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN USNS Sirius
	99k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) and USNS Saturn (T-AFS-10)** moored together at Toulon, France, 4 April 1990.	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius with permission from Hans Rosenkranz, SW Germany.
	54k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	MSC web site
	132k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	.
09520844	396k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) conducting and underway replenishment with USS Essex (LHD-2)** in the Arabian Gulf, date unknown. Photo from USS Essex Cruisebook.	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN USNS Sirius
09520865	27k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** underway enroute to the United States after completing her Mediterranean deployment in April 1999. Photo by Robin Ring	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN USNS Sirius
	61k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** underway off NAS Norfolk. USNS Sirius was returning to port on 19 September 1999 after riding out Hurricane Floyd off the east coast of the United States. Department of Defense Visual Imaging Center photo	Fred Weiss
09520845	38k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) and USS Carney (DDG-64)** moored at the Pinto Wharf, Valletta, Malta, circa 2000.	TJ Tropea
	340k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** moored pierside at Genoa, Italy, 28 May 2000.	Photo by Carlo Martinelli
	408k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** departing Genoa, Italy, 31 May 2000.	Photo by Carlo Martinelli
	1241k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** moored to a buoy at M�laga, Spain, 24 June 2000.	TJ Tropea, courtesy Javier Bueno Iturbe
	61k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** underway at Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta, in June 2001.	Robert Hurst
	78k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** underway at Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta, in June 2001.	Robert Hurst
	37k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) underway, off the Horn of Africa, circa April 2002. Photo taken from USS Hue City (CG-66)**.	Photo by Lt. Steve Dundas, CHC USNR USS Hue City
	41k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) and USNSWalter S. Diehl (T-AO 193) during a replenishment, 19 June 2002, with USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), seen from USS Hue City (CG-66)*, during Operation Enduring Freedom*.	Photo by LT Steve Dundas, CHC USNR
	576k	BM2 Tanya Forbes prepares for the arrival of *USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)**, 16 July 2002, at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain. Petty Officer Forbes is a U.S. Naval Reservist recalled to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. US Navy photo # 020716-N-6369D-003 MANAMA, BAHRAIN (16 July 2002) by LTjg. Mark Duehmig.	Robert M. Cieri
	1626k	SA-330 �Puma� helicopters transport cargo, 21 July 2002, from *USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8) (center) to USS George Washington (CVN-73), while the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) steams in parallel. Washington** and her battle group on are a regularly scheduled deployment conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. US Navy photo # 020721-N-7340V-002 ARABIAN SEA (21 July 2002) by PH1 James Vidrine.	Robert M. Cieri
09520868	226k	A U.S. Navy MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter, from *Combat Support Squadron 6 (HC-6) Detachment 4, assigned to the Sirius Class Combat Stores Ship USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** conducting a vertical replenishment at sea to another ship while operating in the Arabian Gulf, date unknown. U.S Navy photo	Tommy Trampp
09520869	201k	A pair of U.S. Navy MH-60S Knight Hawks, from *Combat Support Squadron 6 (HC-6) Detachment 4, assigned to the Sirius Class Combat Stores Ship USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** conducts a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) at sea to another ship while operating in the Arabian Gulf, date unknown. U.S. Navy photo	Tommy Trampp
	164k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** moored pierside at Grand Harbor,Malta in July 2003.	TJ Tropea, courtesy Judi & Lee Brown. Glossop, Derbyshire, U,K.
	72k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** underway at Dubai, March 2004.	Photo by Laurent LaMarche
	73k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** moored pierside Naval Supply Depot pier, Norfolk, VA., date unknown.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
09520866	240k	*USNS Sirius* (T-AFS-8)** underway off Norfolk, VA., date unknown. ©Nobe Smith	Nicholas Tiberio
TS Texas Clipper III
	59k	Ex-Sirius (T-AFS-8) prior to being placed in service as TS Texas Clipper III underway in Galveston Harbor, date unknown.	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	33k	TS Tresas Clipper III alongside ex-*USNS Chauvenet* (T-AGS-29)** in service as TS Texas Clipper II at Galveston, date unknown.	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	53k	TS Texas Clipper III moored pierside at Galveston, date unknown.	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius
	141k	TS Texas Clipper III moored pierside at Galveston, 2 February 2008 while being converted to a training ship.	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius courtesy Captain Peter of Sicilia, Italy
	136k	TS Texas Clipper III moored pierside at Galveston, 7 March 2008.	T.J. Tropea RM1 USN Ret. USNS Sirius courtesy Captain Peter of Sicilia, Italy