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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USNS Able (T-AGOS-20)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Alpha - Bravo - Lima
 NABL
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Navy Unit Commendation - National Defense Service Medal
Victorious Class Ocean Surveillance Ship:
  • Laid down, 23 March 1989, at Mc Dermott Shipyards, Morgan City, LA.
  • Launched, 16 February 1991
  • Delivered to the Navy, 22 July 1992, assigned to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) and placed in service as USNS Able (T-AGOS-20)
  • Placed out of service, August 2004
  • Laid up in the Reserve Fleet at NAVSEA Inactive Ships On-site Maintenance Office, Philadelphia, PA. Maintenance Category B
  • Withdrawn from reserve and re-activated, 19 March 2007, as USNS Able (T-AGO)S-20)
  • Towed to Detyens Shipyard, Charleston, S.C. and converted to deploy the SURTASS system
  • Completed in early 2008
    Specifications:
    Displacement 3,100 t.(lt) 3,384 t.(fl)
    Length 234'
    Beam 93' 6"
    Draft 25' (max)
    Speed 10 kts (3 kts when towing array)
    Armament none
    Complement
    Civilian mariners 19 - 22
    Navy personnel 15
    Technicians 5
    Propulsion
    two Diesel-electric engines
    two shafts, 1,600shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Able 1865k USNS Able (T-AGOS-20) underway during acceptance sea trials, 18 Mar 1992. Photograph taken by Mc Dermott Shipyards.
    US Navy photo    		 Robert Hurst
    Able 84k USNS Able (T-AGOS-20) underway, circa 1992-2004, location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 MSC web site
    Able 2769k USNS Able (T-AGOS-20) crew members use fire fighting hoses to deter simulated attackers in a rigid hull inflatable boat. Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG-89) provided a training exercise designed to practice repelling possible boarders without using lethal force.
    US Navy photo # 090531-N-2638R-003 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 31, 2009) by MC2 Bryan Reckard.    		 Lee Wahler
    Able 1920k USNS Able (T-AGOS-20) Sailors assigned to the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team of the guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG-89) depart USNS Able (T-AGOS 20) after completing a VBSS drill aboard the vessel.
    US Navy photo # 090531-N-2638R-005 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 31, 2009) by MC2 Bryan Reckard.    		 Lee Wahler
    Able
    170116-N-ED185-022 TOKYO BAY, Japan (Jan. 16, 2016)    		 303k USNS Able (T-AGOS-20) prepares to moor onboard Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Able is visiting Yokosuka for a port visit to promote stability and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, demonstrate commitment to regional partners, and foster relationships in the area.
    US Navy photo #'s 170116-N-ED185-022 TOKYO BAY, Japan (Jan. 16, 2016) and 170116-N-ED185-085 TOKYO BAY, Japan (Jan. 16, 2016) by MC2 Brian G. Reynolds    		 Lee Wahler
    Able
    170116-N-ED185-085 TOKYO BAY, Japan (Jan. 16, 2016)    		 259k
    USNS Able (T-AGOS-20)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    US Navy Fact File - Ocean Surveillance Ships - T-AGOS
    Back To The Main Photo Index Back To The Service Ship Photo Index Back To The Ocean Surveillance Ship Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 10 February 2017