History of the USS McKee AS-41

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In July 1981 I (Ray Plumlee your friendly webmaster) reported to the pre-commissioning crew of the USS Mckee AS-41 as the Hull Repair Officer. After the McKee was commissioned I became a coveted "Plank Owner." I remained onboard until May 1983.

USS MCKEE (AS 41) was commissioned 16 August 1981, and follows USS EMORY S. LAND (AS 39) and USS FRANK CABLE (AS 40) as the third of the LAND class of submarine tenders built by Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company of Seattle, Washington. After a series of sea trials, MCKEE relieved the USS SPERRY AS-13 and joined the USS DIXON (AS 37) in San Diego to support Pacific Fleet submarines.

During MCKEE's first decade, she set the standard for submarine support around the world. Early in 1984 MCKEE became the first submarine tender certified to support the new Tomahawk Cruise Missile system. MCKEE earned three consecutive Battle Efficiency "E" awards in 1985, 1986 and 1987. In addition to the Battle "E" in 1986, MCKEE was honored with the Golden Anchor Award for retention excellence and her first Meritorious Unit Commendation.

In 1987, MCKEE was the first submarine tender to visit Adak, Alaska since World War 11, and conducted the first nuclear submarine upkeep at this remote location. 1988 saw MCKEE become the first submarine tender certified to handle the Tomahawk Vertical Launch System (VLS). In March 1990, MCKEE continued leading the way for submarine tenders by participating in the first underway Fuel replenishment by a Pacific Fleet submarine tender. This fuel was in preparation for deployment to the Persian Gulf in January 1991.

When Operation Desert Storm began, MCKEE deployed to the Persian Gulf and spent six months providing support to submarines and surface combatants. MCKEE was awarded a second Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Southwest Asia Service Medal. Following Desert Storm, MCKEE was awarded a fourth Battle Efficiency "E" Award. In 1995, after the decommissioning of USS DIXON, MCKEE provided all support to San Diego based submarines. Assistance was also provided to many Allied submarines while they visited Point Loma.

In 1998, MCKEE earned a third Meritorious Unit Commendation following a six month deployment to Pearl Harbor. During this deployment, MCKEE provided services and conducted repairs to both U.S. and Allied submarines and surface combatants. Upon returning to San Diego, the ship took the lead in establishing shore-based services that will support the submarines after MCKEE's departure.

The USS McKee AS-41 was Decommissioned, 1 October 1999 and laid up at NISMF, Portsmouth, VA. She was Struck from the Naval Register on 25 April 2006.