:USNS VADM K. R. Wheeler
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{short description|Offshore supply ship of the United States Navy}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image= File:MSC-chartered MV VADM K.R. Wheeler.jpg | Ship caption= USNS VADM K. R. Wheeler }} {{Infobox ship career | Hide header= | Ship country= United States | Ship flag= {{Shipboxflag|United States}} | Ship name= *VADM K. R. Wheeler | Ship namesake= Kenneth Ray Wheeler | Ship ordered= | Ship awarded= | Ship builder=Edison Chouest Offshore | Ship original cost= | Ship yard number= | Ship way number= | Ship laid down= | Ship launched= | Ship sponsor= | Ship christened= | Ship completed= 2007 | Ship acquired= 20 September 2007 | Ship commissioned= | Ship decommissioned= | Ship renamed= | Ship reclassified= | Ship owner= *Military Sealift Command (2007–2012)
| Ship struck= | Ship reinstated= | Ship homeport= Galliano | Ship identification=*{{IMO Number|9354038}}
| Ship motto= | Ship nickname= | Ship honours= | Ship fate= | Ship status= Active | Ship notes= | Ship badge= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship type=*Offshore Petroleum Distribution System |Ship displacement={{convert|6,491|t|LT|0|abbr=on}} |Ship length={{convert|349|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|70|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} |Ship height= |Ship draft={{convert|26|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} |Ship depth= |Ship hold depth= |Ship propulsion= diesel engine |Ship speed={{convert|15|kn|lk=in}} |Ship range= |Ship complement=26 mariners |Ship capacity= *500,000 barrels petroleum |Ship EW= |Ship armament= |Ship aircraft facilities= |Ship aircraft= }} |
USNS VADM K. R. Wheeler (T-AG-5001), (formerly (AG-5001)), is an Offshore Petroleum Distribution System (OPDS) ship built in 2007.{{Cite web|title=Offshore Petroleum Distribution System|url=https://www.msc.usff.navy.mil/Ships/Ship-Inventory/Offshore-Petroleum-Distribution-System/|access-date=2022-02-14|website=www.msc.usff.navy.mil}} The ship is named after Vice Admiral Kenneth Ray Wheeler, an American sailor who was a Legion of Merit recipient and Prisoner of War during World War II.{{Cite web|title=Kenneth Wheeler - Recipient -|url=http://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/302072|access-date=2022-02-14|website=valor.militarytimes.com|language=en}}
Construction and commissioning
{{stack|File:USNS VADM K R Wheeler in 2024.jpg}}
The ship was built in 2007 by Edison Chouest Offshore, Louisiana. Later acquired and placed in service with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) on 20 September 2007, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida under a 5 year contract. She was put into the Prepositioning Program and the Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron 3. The ship operates in the Pacific Ocean.{{Cite web|title=Oil Transporter (AOT) Photo Index|url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/49/495001.htm|access-date=2022-02-14|website=www.navsource.org}}
On 20 August 2012, she was then bought by United States Navy to be used as an OPDS, with the support of {{USNS|Fast Tempo}}. She supported the Combined Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (CJLOTS) 2015 exercise off South Korea on 3 July 2015.{{Cite web|title=USNS Vice Adm. K. R. Wheeler|url=https://www.msc.usff.navy.mil/Press-Room/Photo-Gallery/igphoto/2002480332/|access-date=2022-02-14|website=www.msc.usff.navy.mil|language=en-US}} Military officials including Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, attended a tour of the OPDS VADM K. R. Wheeler during Exercise Ssang Yong 16, off Pohang on 17 March 2016.{{Cite web|title=USNS Wheeler Performs Demonstration, Holds Tour for Military Officials|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/192766/usns-wheeler-performs-demonstration-holds-tour-military-officials|access-date=2022-02-14|website=DVIDS|language=en}}
The ship together with Task Force-West assisted the islands of Tinian and Saipan after they were struck by Typhoon Yutu on 24 October 2018.{{Cite web|date=2018-11-04|title=Sailors aboard the USNS VADM K.R. Wheeler (T-AG 5001)|url=https://nara.getarchive.net/media/sailors-aboard-the-usns-vadm-kr-wheeler-t-ag-5001-de5a87|access-date=2022-02-14|website=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service|language=en}}
References
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Category:Transports of the United States Navy