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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Hotel - Juliet - Kilo
 NHJK
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Unit Commendation
Bottom Row - National Defense Service Medal - Southwest Asia Service Medal - Coast Guard SOS Ribbon (2)
Henry J. Kaiser Class Fleet Oiler:
  • Laid down, 22 August 1984, at Avondale Industries, Westwego, LA.
  • Launched, 5 October 1985
  • Delivered to the US Navy and placed in service with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) as USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187), 19 December 1986
  • USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) is one of fourteen Fleet Replenishment Oilers and is part of the thirty-seven ship Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force
    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.
    Complement 27 Merchant Seamen
    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
    Henry J Kaiser 12k
    Namesake
    Henry John Kaiser (May 9, 1882 – August 24, 1967) was an American industrialist who became known as the father of modern American shipbuilding. He established the Kaiser Shipyards, which built Liberty ships during World War II, after which he formed Kaiser Aluminum and Kaiser Steel. Kaiser organized Kaiser Permanente health care for his workers and their families. He led Kaiser-Frazer followed by Kaiser Motors, automobile companies known for the safety of their designs. Kaiser was involved in large construction projects such as civic centers and dams, and invested in real estate. With his wealth, he established the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit, non-partisan, charitable organization.    		 Tommy Trampp
    Henry J Kaiser 2353k An elevated starboard bow view of USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) under construction at Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans, 1 February 1985.
    DOD photo # DN-SC-86-00304 New Orleans, La. (1 February 1985) a US Navy photo Avondale Shipyards, Inc. now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Henry J Kaiser
    091918746    		 145k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) Christening Principals Tommy Trampp
    Henry J. Kaiser
    091918747    		 67k
    Henry J Kaiser
    091918749    		 439k Elevated starboard quarter view of USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) underway in the Gulf of Mexico running trials, 9 September 1986.
    US National Archives and Records Administration Identifier: 6416524    		 Robert Hurst
    Henry J Kaiser 45k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Federation of American Scientist web site
    Henry J Kaiser 88k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Robert Hurst
    Henry J Kaiser 54k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) underway in Hampton Roads, off Naval Station Norfolk, VA. date unknown
    US Navy photo    		 Military Sealift Command web site
    Henry J Kaiser 59k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) underway, date and location unknown. Photo by Peter Westdijk the Netherlands
    Henry J Kaiser 2059k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) moored pierside at NAS North Island, San Diego, CA., June 2007. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Henry J Kaiser 633k USNS Henry J. Kaiser(T-AO-187) transits alongside the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) prior to a Fueling-at-Sea, 20 October 2007. USS Abraham Lincoln was underway for a scheduled workup to include Composite Training Unit Exercise, an exercise designed to enhance the inter-operability of the carrier and its strike group.
    US Navy photo # 071020-N-1229B-121 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 20, 2007). by MC3 Patrick M. Bonafede.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 449k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) moored pierside at NAS North Island, San Diego, CA., January 2008. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Henry J Kaiser 585k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) maneuvers in preparation for an underway replenishment with the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG-57). Lake Champlain is on a scheduled deployment as part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility supporting global maritime security.
    US Navy photo # 090724-N-4774B-079 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 24, 2009) by MC2 Daniel Barker.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 116k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) and the guided-missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG-37) are decorated with Christmas lights while in port at Pearl Harbor.
    US Navy photo # 091223-N-7498L-072 PEARL HARBOR (Dec. 23, 2099) by MC2 Mark Logico.    		 Lee Wahler
    Pearl Harbor 2186k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187), left, and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52) conduct an underway replenishment. Pearl Harbor is underway off the coast of Southern California with the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group.
    US Navy photo # 100303-N-5969B-163 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 3, 2010) by MC3 Foster Bamford.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 703k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) passes under a rainbow while conducting an underway replenishment with ships of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group.
    US Navy photo # 101224-N-7981E-224 PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 24, 2010) by MC2 James R. Evans    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser
    091918750    		 135k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) approaches the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) to conduct a replenishment at sea, 18 March 2011.
    U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Jared M. King.    		 Robert Hurst
    Henry J Kaiser
    110417-N-ZS026-309    		 1429k The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) conducts a replenishment at sea with USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187). Boxer is underway supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
    US Navy photo #
    110417-N-ZS026-309 ARABIAN SEA (April 17, 2011)
    11417-N-ZS026-164 ARABIAN SEA (April 17, 2011) and
    110417-N-ZS026-353 ARABIAN SEA (April 17, 2011) by MC3 Trevor Welsh    		 Lee Wahler and Robert M. Cieri
    Henry J Kaiser
    110417-N-ZS026-164    		 529k
    Henry J Kaiser
    110417-N-ZS026-353    		 665k
    Henry J Kaiser 380k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) transits the Gulf of Aden.
    US Navy photo # 110419-N-GW695-072 GULF OF ADEN (April 19, 2011) by MC3 Stephen M. Votaw    		 Lee Wahler
    Wally Schirra 4878k USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE-8) prepares to refuel USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) while at the same time conducting VertRep with USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). USS Carl Vinson is taking on fuel from USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187). All ships are wrapping up their deployment to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Photo was taken early May 2011, from an H-60S helicopter from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron HSC-21 Det 2 “Vagabonds” who were embarked aboard Wally Schirra for the deployment. Brandon J. Varner, Assistant Cargo Mate USNS Wally Schirra
    Henry J Kaiser 824k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187), left, and the guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG-48) transit the Pacific Ocean during exercise Koa Kai 12-2. Koa Kai is a semiannual exercise in the waters around Hawaii designed to prepare independent deployers in multiple warfare areas and provide training in a multi-ship environment.
    US Navy photo # 120406-N-XD424-154 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 6, 2012) by MC3 Dustin W. Sisco.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 995k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) underway with the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during a replenishment at sea. Nimitz took on 200,000 gallons of biofuel in preparation for the Great Green Fleet demonstration during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971.
    US Navy photo # 120717-N-RC246-151 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 17, 2012) by MC3 Ryan J. Mayes.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 1400k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187), left delivers a 50-50 blend of advanced biofuels and traditional petroleum-based fuel to the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59) during the Great Green Fleet demonstration portion of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 exercise. In the background are the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93).
    US Navy photo # 120718-N-RC246-210 PEARL HARBOR (JULY 18, 2012) by MC3 Ryan J. Mayes.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 217k The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) comes alongside USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) for a replenishment-at-sea. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are underway off the coast of Southern California conducting flight operations.
    US Navy photo # 130508-N-HD510-219 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 8, 2013) by MCSN Scott Fenaroli.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 335k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) steams alongside the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) during a replenishment-at-sea. Ronald Reagan is underway conducting flight deck certifications and carrier qualifications.
    US Navy photo # 130508-N-HT107-096 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 8, 2013) by MC3 Terry Godette.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 274k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) and the Canadian frigate HMCS Calgary (FFH-335) underway during a refueling evolution.
    US Navy photo # 131212-N-JU810-100 SAN DIEGO (Dec. 3, 2013) by MC1 Aramis X. Ramirez.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 170k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) moored pierside, Naval Station Pearl Harbor, HI., 6 March 2014. Richard Leonhardt
    Henry J Kaiser 443k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) dry docked at San Francisco, CA., 5 November 2014.
    Photo by Ken Papai.    		 Robert Hurst
    Henry J Kaiser 192k LCDR. David Garrett, assigned USS America (LHA-6), uses a flag to signal USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) during an underway replenishment. America is the first ship of its class and is optimized for Marine Corps aviation.
    US Navy photo # 150121-N-MZ309-044 PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 21, 2015) by MC2 Ryan Riley.    		 Ron Reeves
    Henry J Kaiser 583k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) transits San Diego Harbor.
    US Navy photo # 150126-N-UK306-055 SAN DIEGO (Jan. 26, 2015 by MC3 Timothy Schumaker.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 359k Sailors and Marines aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) watch as USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) supplies Essex and the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD-47) during a replenishment-at-sea. Essex is underway participating in a composite training unit exercise with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group.
    US Navy photo # 150325-N-MD297-038 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 25, 2015) by MC3 Huey D. Younger Jr.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 1013k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD-47) and the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2). Essex and Rushmore underway participating in a certification exercise with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group.
    US Navy photo # 150415-N-SF984-096 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 15, 2015) by MCSN Chelsea Troy Milburn.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 931k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) transits alongside the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) during a replenishment-at-sea. Ronald Reagan is underway off the coast of southern California.
    US Navy photo # 150508-N-OI810-362 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 8, 2015) by MC3 Nathan Burke.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 716k The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG-65) steams alongside USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) during a replenishment-at-sea with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). Ronald Reagan, and her embarked carrier air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region.
    US Navy photo # 150905-N-OI810-108 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 5, 2015) by MC3 Nathan Burke.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 854k The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG-65) steams alongside USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) after a replenishment-at-sea with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76).
    US Navy photo # 150905-N-OI810-137 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 5, 2015) by MC3 Nathan Burke.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 728k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) stands on as the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) and the dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) come alongside to conduct a replenishment at sea. More than 4,500 Sailors and Marines from the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU) are conducting sustainment training off the coast of Hawaii in preparation for entering the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations.
    US Navy photo # 160221-N-GV721-040PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 21, 2016) by MC2 Brian Caracci.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser
    160517-N-SX983-014 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 17, 2016)    		 214k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) approaches the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) before a replenishment-at-sea. Deployed in support of Pacific Partnership 2016, Mercy's mission is designed to emphasize multilateral cooperation and building mutual trust in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. Medical, engineering and various other personnel embarked aboard Mercy will work side-by-side with host and partner nation counterparts, exchanging ideas, building best practices and relationships to ensure preparedness should disaster strike.
    US Navy photo #'s 160517-N-SX983-014 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 17, 2016) by MC3 Lindsey E. Skelton and 160517-N-TR165-022 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 17, 2016) by MC 2 William Cousins.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser
    160517-N-TR165-022 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 17, 2016)    		 346k
    Henry J Kaiser 241k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam following the conclusion of Rim of the Pacific 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel participated in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 was the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
    US Navy photo # 160805-N-AI605-006 PEARL HARBOR (AUG 05, 2016) by MC1 Rebecca Wolfbrandt    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 846k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) steams alongside the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during a replenishment-at-sea. Theodore Roosevelt is under way conducting a group sail training unit exercise with it's carrier strike group.
    US Navy photo # 170504-N-AZ808-082 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 4, 2017) by MCSN Nicholas R. Burgains    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 308k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) holds her course and speed as the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) (not shown) comes alongside for a refueling at sea. Bunker Hill (CG-52) is under way conducting a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming deployment. COMPTUEX tests a carrier strike group's mission readiness and ability to perform as an integrated unit through simulated real-world scenarios.
    US Navy photo # 170809-N-VT388-022 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 9, 2017) by MC1 R. David Valdez    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 831k An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the "Chargers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 picks up cargo from USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) during a replenishment-at-sea with the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). John C. Stennis is under way conducting routine training as it continues preparing for her next scheduled deployment.
    US Navy photo # 180418-N-EF115-124 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 18, 2018) by MCSN Angelina Grimsley    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 234k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) steams alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) during a replenishment-at-sea.
    US Navy photo # 180730-N-VQ841-0103 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 30, 2018) by MCSN Ethan J. Soto    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 173k A patrol boat with Coastal Riverine Squadron (CRS) 8 comes alongside USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) while conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the Gulf of Tadjourah, Oct. 23, 2018. Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa foreign liaison officers observed the operations to better understand MSO and the CRS-8 mission.
    US Navy photo # 181023-N-HX127-1140 DJIBOUTI (Oct. 23, 2018) by MC2 Timothy M. Ahearn    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser 267k The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG-100) breaks away from USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) after completing a replenishment-at-sea while participating in Exercise Northern Edge 2019. Northern Edge is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises in 2019 that prepares joint forces to respond to crisis in the Indo-Pacific region.
    US Navy photo # 190517-N-EH218-1177 GULF OF ALASKA (May 17, 2019) by MC1 Ryan J. Batchelder    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser
    091918742    		 305k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) and an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Screamin' Indians of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6 as seen from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during a replenishment-at-sea. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway conducting a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX). COMPTUEX is an intensive exercise designed to fully integrate units of the CSG, while testing a strike group's ability as a whole to carry out sustained combat operations from the sea.
    US Navy photo # 200526-N-KO930-1006 PACIFIC OCEAN (May 26, 2020) by MC3 Olivia Banmally Nichols    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser
    091918743    		 235k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) underway in the Pacific Ocean during Rim of the Pacific 2020. Ten nations, 22 ships, one submarine, and more than 5,300 personnel are participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) from August 17 to 31 at sea around the Hawaiian Islands. RIMPAC is a biennial exercise designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships, critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The exercise is a unique training platform designed to enhance interoperability and strategic maritime partnerships. RIMPAC 2020 is the 27th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
    US Navy photo # 200820-N-DK867-2015 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 20, 2020) by MCSN Deirdre Marsac.    		 Lee Wahler
    Henry J Kaiser
    091918744    		 229k USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) berthed at Mare Island, 25 November 2020. Photos by Darryl Baker
    Henry J Kaiser
    091918745    		 170k
    Henry J Kaiser
    091918748    		 143k Sailing in formation, 23 July 2022, during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, from right to left;
    Royal New Zealand Navy Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) Ship HMNZS Aotearoa (A11),
    USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187)
    Royal Australian Navy Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Ship HMAS Supply (A195),
    Dry Cargo and ammunition ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE-11)
    U.S. Navy photo # U.S. Navy photo # 220723-N-HB628-1038, by MC2 Aiko Bongolan     		Robert Hurst
    USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    Fleet Tankers Association
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
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    Last Updated 13 October 2023