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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23)
ex
 USS Observation Island (E-AG-154) (1958 - 1972)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Romeo - Papa - Papa
NRPP
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
Bottom Row - Navy Battle "E" (4) - National Defense Service Medal - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1)
Observation Island Class Range Instrumentation Ship:
  • Laid down, 15 September 1952, as Empire State Mariner, a Maritime Administration type (C4-S-A1) hull under Maritime Administration contract, (MA 28), at New York Shipbuilding Corp, Camden, N.J.
  • Launched, 15 August 1953
  • Delivered to the Maritime Administration (MARAD), 24 February 1954
  • Laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet
  • Acquired by the Navy, 10 September 1956
  • Converted for Naval service at Maryland Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Baltimore, MD.
  • Commissioned USS Observation Island (E-AG-154), December 1958
  • Decommissioned in 1972
  • Transferred to MARAD for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet
  • Reacquired by the Navy, assigned to MSC and placed in service as Range Instrumentation Ship, USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23), assigned to the Special Mission Ships Program (PM2), MSC Pacific
    E-AG Specifications:
    Displacement 12,978 t.(lt) 16,076 t.(fl)
    Length 564'
    Beam 76'
    Speed 21 kts.
    Draft 26'
    Complement 434
    Propulsion two boilers, geared turbines, single shaft, 19,250shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    USS Observation Island (E-AG-154)
    Observation Island 73k USS Observation Island (E-AG-154) underway with USS Robert E Lee (SSBN 601), date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Tim Howard
    Observation Island 93k USS Observation Island (E-AG-154) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, January 1959.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Observation Island 54k USS Observation Island (E-AG-154) arriving at Cape Canaveral, date unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, September 1960.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Observation Island 79k USS Observation Island (E-AG-154) during test launch of a 28-foot test version of the Polaris SLBM. The missile was forced 70 ft above the deck by compressed air after which its first stage engine ignited.
    US Navy photo    		 Robert Hurst.
    USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23)
    Observation Island 75k USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23) underway, 6 July 2006. Observation Island operates worldwide, monitoring compliance with strategic arms treaties and supporting U.S. military weapons test programs. Observation Island carries an Air Force ship-borne phased-array radar system for collecting data on missile tests. The ship is operated by Military Sealift Command for the US Air Force Technical Applications Center at Patrick Air Force Base, FL.
    US Navy photo # 060706-N-0000X-001    		 MSC web site
    Observation Island 64k USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23) underway, date and location unknown. Note she is fitted with the 'Cobra Judy' radar aft.
    US Navy photo    		 Robert Hurst
    View the USS / USNS Observation Island (EAG-154 / T-AGM-23)
    DANFS History entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    No Information Available
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 25 April 2008