SK2 Callery here saying hi. I knew she had been mothballed and then scrapped, they all finally succumb to rust and technology but she was a lot of fun from '77 to '81. I thoroughly enjoyed the education I received, not only for my years onboard, but from good friends and good opportunities. It was a life changing experience and watching this video brought back so many great memories. Thanks Chief! Thanks Chris. I remember both of you from my years onboard. In fact, thinking back, it was Chris and I that supplied about 90% of the photos for that '79 Westpack album. Glad to see you doing well Chris!
Thanks for the video. I was a Disbursing Clerk (DK) stationed aboard the KC from December 1979 to July 1983. Certainly brings back memories. Going up the Columbia River to the Portland Rose Festival with my mother riding aboard was one of the highlights.
MSC Castillo , nice to see your still in good health. Ya gained a little weight in retirement like us all. MS3 Burns here , I know we always didn’t see I to I but just wanted to say hello and complement you on this video documentary production. I have more video and pictures of our ship and I’m planning on a U Tube page honoring USS KANSAS CITY during years 77 - 81 my deployment. And I feel bad that you would have wanted that console stereo that you gave me back with the distortion in one channel. As after I repaired the loose capacitors , and I more less gave it to the friends off base that were in possession at the time. Thank you for your service Chief🇺🇸
@@davidlucasmachado2831 I didn’t get on board till after that, my west pack book is 78-79. I was a cook ,ms3 burns . I looked at all the departments and his name is not there, did you and him get off at the end of 77? I checked on board like end of 77. I remember having to wait at the Alameda naval air station for the ship to come back from Westpac. I got off January 81
Served aboard Wichita AOR-1 and it is indeed sad to see these wonderful ships go away. Seeing them in their state of rust is difficult as well, because as the other Kansas City ship mates stated, we kept these beautiful ships in pristine condition, inside and out. Thanks for this video, really enjoyed.
Thanks for the video - it brought back nice memories. Served aboard the "KC" from March 1971 - June 1972. It was a very clean, well run, ship. The tradition of playing "Kansas City" after each unrep started during our WESPAC tour in 1971. So sad to see its demise., but the memories of that beautiful ship will live forever.
I served aboard the Kansas City from before Commissioning through her first 2 deployments in Vietnam. It was a lot of hard work, many fun times and some lousy times with a good group of guys (I was in both 'M' and 'A' Division). This video brings back a lot of memories. Sad to see how she ended up - she was a proud, clean and hardworking ship. Thanks for the video.
My dad served aboard the KC from her maiden deployment until his discharge in 1973. I've heard many stories of his time in the Gulf of Tonkin and life aboard ship. Thank you Mr. Kelley for this documentary.
Was on USS MILWAUKEE (AOR-2). Bluenose, shellback, and in Viet Nam 72&73. Hardest working ships in the fleet and when we had liberty it was well deserved. Got to see the world for 4 yrs and would do it again if I could. Great times, great friends and the best of memories.
Yes, thanks for the video! Great memories of serving on-board this great lady from 1987-1990 under Captain Ernie Christensen and Captain Leo M. Pivonka.
Spent a good part of my twenties on board, from 76 to 81 as an FTM. I loved that ship. A lot of good times, and good people. I spent a lot of time moving munitions on the flight deck with a fork truck.
Again still remember USS KANSAS CITY, I do have experience several spot on this ship, I do laundry for USS KANSAS CITY shipmates, open ship store. and when at sea my favorite spot when I am on watch I always standing at the F.T at the middle of the night pretty nice sky at the ocean. and when we do G.Q 9 out of 10 time they send me to the hull front of the hull of the ship , a lot more to share later. SH3 PHAM.
I served aboard the KC as a Hospital Corpsman. Our sick bay was fairly complete including a lab/pharmacy, surgical suite with portable x-ray, a doctors office with exam room, chiefs office, med admin office, living space, x-ray dark room, kitchen. It was just under the flight deck. I remember jogging on the main cargo deck which was considered 1/5 mile loop. The KC carried diesel fuel, JP 5, and Av gas. We carried both dry and refrigerated foods, clothing supplies, missiles and other munitions as well as sonar buoys. Our hangers carried to CH 46 helicopters for vert reps. We refuel ships day and night. The KC in 1978 was ordered to go into Typhoon Rita to rescue crew of the MS Tobakul (unsure of spelling) that had nearly cracked in half on a sand bar in the South China Sea. We had taken on heavy listing as well as get hit by a rogue wave that went as high as the pilot house and took to crew members over board. It was so stormy that we could only send a designated swimmer to help them. There was a brief time that we were finally able to get a helicopter air borne and complete the rescue of the two crew members. One had his knee cap nearly ripped off that required surgery. The doctor and I spent at least an hour or so doing a enough to stabilize him so he could be transferred to Subic Bay Naval Hospital. However doing surgery in the typhoon was extremely difficult. Several sterile surgical instrument packs had to be open since we kept having instruments fall of the tray due to rocking to and fro from the storm. The crew was also awarded the Navy Expeditionary Forces medal and a Navy Excellence award during the West Pac. After breaking away from the 7th fleet to get supplies and fuel for the fleet in the Indian Oceans we came under harassment by Soviet naval ships and aircraft. At one point, 2am, we came under attack. Our main defense was our NATO K class Sea Sparrow missiles. For the most part I enjoyed my experience on the KC. I was one of two cruise book editors for that West Pac.
Thank you for the stories of your experiences a board the Kansas City . They brought back a lot of memories. I served aboard the USS Taluga AO 62 . 1969 - 1972 .
During Desert Shield & Storm, I was an MU with SEVENTH Fleet Band - aboard the USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC 19). With our rock band Orient Express, we flew to a few ships to perform for the ship's 'steel beach picnics.' We usually helo'd out early, played a few sets during the day on the main decks, then returned to the BLUE RIDGE before sunset. For whatever reason - our return flight was canceled when flight quarters were secured aboard the KANSAS CITY were secured, and we spent a few days aboard the ship. We played a few more times on the mess decks and flight deck - and were treated like KINGS. Few ships showed us the hospitality that the KC showed our little band. The greatest thing about being aboard the KC was seeing how hard this ship worked, and realizing what a team the ship had. Watching VERTEPs, UNREPs, and refueling was amazing. The feelings expressed by these Sailors are felt by many Sailors with their first ship...I know it made me think about my first ship and how much she meant to me. Thanks for a very good documentary. God bless those who sailed on this great ship.
Fair winds and following seas to all who sailed on the USS Kansas City, from a fellow sailor that served on board her sister ship the USS Wabash (84-88)
I was on the USS Kansas City AOR 3 in 1979. I chipped enough paint off that ship that I am surprise any was left on it. We lost at least one man at sea that year. I was on fantail watch that night. Never will I forget the many experiences, to include fights with other crew members about this and that. Some of us were just too young to think clearly. But still it was a heck of a time.
Been alongside USS Kalamazoo & Milwaukee & Kalamazoo plenty of times off the east coast or in the Caribbean, used to be in awe entering Norfolk as they sat majestically empty moored at a pier about as high as a 15-20 story building.
What a great ship and great class of ship. I was on KC from 75 to 79 in engineering. Liked it so much that when the opera unity came up I was able to get stationed on USS Roanoke. Loved both ships.
There is a gentleman i met once years ago in Vegas who was on the Kansas City around the same years u served onboard....his name is Dan Ohem i believe....he was also in enginering..did u know him ?
Fantastic video. Thank you. Original orders to the KC in '71, visited her in Long Beach, for 3 or 4 hours then orders changed. Went to Wichita AOR-1 instead. I did the three Wichita video/slide shows on youtube. Definitely understand the sadness Steve Letendre
Served on the Kansas City from 1972-1974. Great duty as a second Class Petty Office -Electronic Tech. Was on her when we sailed with the 7th Fleet off the coast of Vietnam.
Very cool.... a nice summary of life on the KC. Each department had it's own outlook I guess but I certainly don't regret being a part of her crew. (Homer 80-84)
I went aboard the KC while it was at general dynamics being built,chief Tuper was A gang my two years I spent aboard was a pleasure ,hi Lenny Rucker we had memories that will never be forgotten.
I was on the KC from 92-94 under the command of Captain Mike Malone. I was on the decommissioning crew all the way to the end at NAS Alameda. Spent a lot of time at the helm.
Hey shipmate I served at the same time you did. I worked in the engine room then I got move to A gang. I had fun aboard the ship. I guess my worst memory on the ship is when we lost the helicopter at sea.
The KC had a wide beam and a deep draft therefore she was a smooth easy steamer and a great looking ship I have always been proud to have served onboard her. so sad to see her go.
I do remember during the Gulf war we work with the Kansas City AOR-3 in fact all the AOR'swere over there during the Gulf war.I did 4 yrs on USS Kalamazoo Aor-6
Great video ' but l'm saddened that she was decommissioned in 1994 . I had just left her in 1991 and she was in great shape. Clean, well painted all the time . It was a great experience being aboard her . 🇺🇸🙏
Served aboard the Milwaukee AOR-2 straight out of boot camp 1976-1977. Assigned to 1st division where chipping paint and applying red lead and haze/deck grey was the routine; station 3 during UNREP hauling lines. Transferred to OC div to work in the radio shack. One med cruise then to North Atlantic for Queen Elizabeth's 25th coronation anniversary. Saltine crackers, oh yeah. Can relate to the stories these guys are sharing.
I know how you gentlmen feel about that ship. I don't know what it is but it sure stays with you for life. I served aboard the USS Everett F. Larson DD83 from 67- 69 and I saw a lot of underway replenishments in the Soth China sea and the Tonkin Gulf. We were a member of the 23 squadron and we were the ship that tied up to what was left of the Frank E Evans on that fatal morning of June 9 1969 in the Tonkin Gulf off the coast of Vietnam sea. I remember refueling from the USS Piedmont and another ship that I can't recall the name.
Wow. I was on AOR-7, USS Roanoke. Her nickname was The Polar Express, but we called her FAO (Fast Attack Oiler) because she had a Sea Sparrow Battery and two CWIS's that the earlier ships (Like KC) weren't equipped with. At the time (late 80's), I hated it. To me, she was fugly. Yeah, we worked our butts off to keep her clean, painted and operational, but she just wasn't " combat sexy." My time on her was amazing and horrible, but all of it helped shape me; grow me up. Some memories, even when life sucked, instill life long pride and wonder. One time, we were running casualty drills up north of San Francisco. I was #1 hotsuitman on the flight deck. With nothing immediate to do, my buddies and I just sat on port side of the flight deck, legs dangling over the sides and told sea stories and lies. The ship was DIW; just gently rolling and bobbing on the waves. In the distance, there was a "shadow" that appeared on the horizon and seemed to be moving towards us. To our amazement, it was a school of thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of bottle nose dolphins. That school passed just yards from the ship and just kept going. It may have been about and hour, or more, and that school just kept going by. At one point, there was a little pod of dolphins that had a black "something" that was swimming and breaching perfectly in time with that pod. As it got closer, "one of these things is not like the others" really became apparent. It was a sea lion. That danged sea lion stayed with that one pod from one horizon to the other as it moved past. That put the icing on the 'cool cake' for me. I could go on for days, but Roanoke was one of the most awesome things I've ever been a part of. That said, I feel for you KC guys watching your Lady slip into memory. If y'all felt half of the emotions I did when the Polar Express made her way to the razor blade yard...I'm sorry. Go to the reunions!
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME - I was on the CV64 Constellation and on WestPac 78-79 which had 3 MODLOCKS which really sucked bad. We had 3 ships with us (Waddell DDG24, Sterett CG31, and Kansas City AOR3). You all rocked. We were suppose to go back home the next day and the next thing you know, they send us to the Indian Ocean. First time a US Naval Force was in the Indian Ocean FOREVER. IF ANYONE, was with us on that deployment, please call me BROTHER :-) Bobby Estey
I can't believe a cook is describing fuelling at sea. No, we didn't use booms to transfer cargo at sea. It takes about 15 min's to refuel a fast frigate, you could be alongside a carrier half the day. Wow, I can't believe there isn't a documentary showing these Wichita class oilers in action. I was on the USS Kalamazoo AOR-6. I was a BM3 in 1987, we spent a lot of time in the N. Atlantic watching small boys porpoise alongside in 60' seas. I was on the deck slinging cargo and fuel. I totally relate to the guy talking about the weird and beautiful things you happen to see. The Aussie navy came up to play during "Northern Wedding" nato ex. Way up in the arctic, these guys on a tiny frigate were in shorts and T's and safety harness, snubbed and tended. They got maytagged (like the washer) by every wave and hung on to get their fuel. It was awe inspiring. And that was just part of one day.
i was put on that ship when my aircraft carrier Oriskany was put into mothball fleet in 76 it was a big letdown for me i got discharged in 77 the deck crew was just a bunch of rookies just out of boot camp they couldn't even pull a300 pound ships fender up from the side of the ship i had to show them how to do it so they stuck me with the job we were allowed to be the first American navy ship to be allowed to enter Sydney harbor since wwII we almost lost our liberty because of 2 chuckle heads fighting with 2 Chinese civilians one of the sailors was named McHale the news papers reported McHale's navy strikes again luckily the rest of us had liberty Sydney was fantastic i got along great with the captain he was on the Oriskany he new me
I don't know what I am posting and being removed. Everything you BROTHERS said was the truth about any NAVY SHIP. That was US - AMERICA, we rocked. Crossing the Equator, Drinking Beer and finally at the end which always PISSES ME OFF. I never EVER EVER EVER see a proper SALUTE. WE WHOEVER YOU ARE, YOU WERE TRAINED CORRECT. THAT WAS A PROPER SALUTE AND I AM SENDING A SALUTE BACK TO ALL YOU MY BROTHERS, YOUR SHIP, THE USN AND THE REST OF OUR MILITARY FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. Bobby Estey
one more thing underway I C switch board watch the best watch on the ship went through dozens of pair of skates skating that watch. ac TV Nintendo VCR stereo just sit back and chill out the sounding and security watchmen would always hang out after there first round and then gundeck the rest everybody wanted that watch
Unfortunately I served on it from 1984-85. I hated the experience there. all the non Filipinos did was just lug the boxes and be up day and night without no sleep, while the Filipinos got all the soft jobs and were better rested also. They would often whine that they are tired and always wanted them to stand by for them on their duty day. I had a CPO that was biased and just a plain dickhead, some of the people were real assholes, and some never even cared! The berthing had Filipino sections, ghetto sections and your white boy sections! I never got to advance here, that CPO only cared about his own people. The officers there would do nothing, and let him get away with it! Thanks a lot U.S.S Kansas City! You did real well for me. I'm glad I transferred out and went to a ship berthed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii!
been there in 1984 and once was definately enough fo me. Some of the people, especailly supply treated you like shit!!! They would not let me advance there and some of the supply people there sucked!!! I mean some of the filipino's there would always ask for stand-by's and when you turned them down they would always crwhiy about it and would always say bad shit about you they would only have desk jobs and complain that they are tired all the time, while we were always up day and night and hardly no sleep. Thats how you got treated there
How dare they cut it up total disgusting disgrace for anything in deck department bm1 turn too my chipping hammer and paint brush on rigged (3) + my buffer on the supply office passway [booss hogg sk1 they want the passway strip and wax 78 to 1982.
SK2 Callery here saying hi. I knew she had been mothballed and then scrapped, they all finally succumb to rust and technology but she was a lot of fun from '77 to '81. I thoroughly enjoyed the education I received, not only for my years onboard, but from good friends and good opportunities. It was a life changing experience and watching this video brought back so many great memories. Thanks Chief! Thanks Chris. I remember both of you from my years onboard. In fact, thinking back, it was Chris and I that supplied about 90% of the photos for that '79 Westpack album. Glad to see you doing well Chris!
I remember you MS3 Burns here 77-81, found you in the ships west pack book
Thanks for the video. I was a Disbursing Clerk (DK) stationed aboard the KC from December 1979 to July 1983. Certainly brings back memories. Going up the Columbia River to the Portland Rose Festival with my mother riding aboard was one of the highlights.
MSC Castillo , nice to see your still in good health. Ya gained a little weight in retirement like us all. MS3 Burns here , I know we always didn’t see I to I but just wanted to say hello and complement you on this video documentary production. I have more video and pictures of our ship and I’m planning on a U Tube page honoring USS KANSAS CITY during years 77 - 81 my deployment. And I feel bad that you would have wanted that console stereo that you gave me back with the distortion in one channel. As after I repaired the loose capacitors , and I more less gave it to the friends off base that were in possession at the time. Thank you for your service Chief🇺🇸
Would you happen to have a copy of the cruise book on the 77 deployment? Looking for a MM or BT Dan Ohem I believe his name was .....
@@davidlucasmachado2831 I didn’t get on board till after that, my west pack book is 78-79. I was a cook ,ms3 burns . I looked at all the departments and his name is not there, did you and him get off at the end of 77? I checked on board like end of 77. I remember having to wait at the Alameda naval air station for the ship to come back from Westpac. I got off January 81
Served aboard Wichita AOR-1 and it is indeed sad to see these wonderful ships go away. Seeing them in their state of rust is difficult as well, because as the other Kansas City ship mates stated, we kept these beautiful ships in pristine condition, inside and out. Thanks for this video, really enjoyed.
Served on the Wichita from 80-84.
Hey Rios, I remember you. I was A gang 79 to 82
Thanks for the video - it brought back nice memories. Served aboard the "KC" from March 1971 - June 1972. It was a very clean, well run, ship. The tradition of playing "Kansas City" after each unrep started during our WESPAC tour in 1971. So sad to see its demise., but the memories of that beautiful ship will live forever.
I served aboard the Kansas City from before Commissioning through her first 2 deployments in Vietnam. It was a lot of hard work, many fun times and some lousy times with a good group of guys (I was in both 'M' and 'A' Division). This video brings back a lot of memories. Sad to see how she ended up - she was a proud, clean and hardworking ship. Thanks for the video.
What a great documentary! I have alot of great memories on the K.C. that I will cherish forever. Troy Mount
Hey Troy!!!
@@MarlowQAI Hey Eric!, hope all's good my brother. Good to hear from you👍
My dad served aboard the KC from her maiden deployment until his discharge in 1973. I've heard many stories of his time in the Gulf of Tonkin and life aboard ship. Thank you Mr. Kelley for this documentary.
Was on USS MILWAUKEE (AOR-2). Bluenose, shellback, and in Viet Nam 72&73. Hardest working ships in the fleet and when we had liberty it was well deserved. Got to see the world for 4 yrs and would do it again if I could. Great times, great friends and the best of memories.
I served on her from 1980-84...I was a hull tech...sad to see her go.I really loved the steel beach pic nics.was a wonderful old girl..❤
Yes, thanks for the video! Great memories of serving on-board this great lady from 1987-1990 under Captain Ernie Christensen and Captain Leo M. Pivonka.
Mr C ' Sar have the hat from him gave it to me 1989 when ship dock in Sydney Australia and i still have the Hat 😎
Pivonka was my first Captain.
I was the Chief Hospital Corpsman from 87-89. KANSAS CITY-MISSOURI Battle Group.
I was on that ship ! Made my first Wespac cruise during Kangaroo II exercise ! also was there when it got awarded The Battle E award
@@airjor1 1976 to 1977
Deep thanks to the service of these wonderful vessels. And to the hardworking crews that drove these ships.
Spent a good part of my twenties on board, from 76 to 81 as an FTM. I loved that ship. A lot of good times, and good people. I spent a lot of time moving munitions on the flight deck with a fork truck.
Thank you for your service Len. My father was on board from 76-78. Any chance you knew him? His name was Refugio Daniel Urias from Texas.
Again still remember USS KANSAS CITY, I do have experience several spot on this ship, I do laundry for USS KANSAS CITY shipmates, open ship store. and when at sea my favorite spot when I am on watch I always standing at the F.T at the middle of the night pretty nice sky at the ocean. and when we do G.Q 9 out of 10 time they send me to the hull front of the hull of the ship , a lot more to share later.
SH3 PHAM.
I served aboard the KC as a Hospital Corpsman. Our sick bay was fairly complete including a lab/pharmacy, surgical suite with portable x-ray, a doctors office with exam room, chiefs office, med admin office, living space, x-ray dark room, kitchen. It was just under the flight deck. I remember jogging on the main cargo deck which was considered 1/5 mile loop. The KC carried diesel fuel, JP 5, and Av gas. We carried both dry and refrigerated foods, clothing supplies, missiles and other munitions as well as sonar buoys. Our hangers carried to CH 46 helicopters for vert reps. We refuel ships day and night. The KC in 1978 was ordered to go into Typhoon Rita to rescue crew of the MS Tobakul (unsure of spelling) that had nearly cracked in half on a sand bar in the South China Sea. We had taken on heavy listing as well as get hit by a rogue wave that went as high as the pilot house and took to crew members over board. It was so stormy that we could only send a designated swimmer to help them. There was a brief time that we were finally able to get a helicopter air borne and complete the rescue of the two crew members. One had his knee cap nearly ripped off that required surgery. The doctor and I spent at least an hour or so doing a enough to stabilize him so he could be transferred to Subic Bay Naval Hospital. However doing surgery in the typhoon was extremely difficult. Several sterile surgical instrument packs had to be open since we kept having instruments fall of the tray due to rocking to and fro from the storm. The crew was also awarded the Navy Expeditionary Forces medal and a Navy Excellence award during the West Pac. After breaking away from the 7th fleet to get supplies and fuel for the fleet in the Indian Oceans we came under harassment by Soviet naval ships and aircraft. At one point, 2am, we came under attack. Our main defense was our NATO K class Sea Sparrow missiles. For the most part I enjoyed my experience on the KC. I was one of two cruise book editors for that West Pac.
Thank you for the stories of your experiences a board the Kansas City .
They brought back a lot of memories. I served aboard the USS Taluga AO 62 . 1969 - 1972 .
During Desert Shield & Storm, I was an MU with SEVENTH Fleet Band - aboard the USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC 19). With our rock band Orient Express, we flew to a few ships to perform for the ship's 'steel beach picnics.' We usually helo'd out early, played a few sets during the day on the main decks, then returned to the BLUE RIDGE before sunset. For whatever reason - our return flight was canceled when flight quarters were secured aboard the KANSAS CITY were secured, and we spent a few days aboard the ship. We played a few more times on the mess decks and flight deck - and were treated like KINGS. Few ships showed us the hospitality that the KC showed our little band. The greatest thing about being aboard the KC was seeing how hard this ship worked, and realizing what a team the ship had. Watching VERTEPs, UNREPs, and refueling was amazing. The feelings expressed by these Sailors are felt by many Sailors with their first ship...I know it made me think about my first ship and how much she meant to me. Thanks for a very good documentary. God bless those who sailed on this great ship.
Fair winds and following seas to all who sailed on the USS Kansas City, from a fellow sailor that served on board her sister ship the USS Wabash (84-88)
served on USS Niagara Falls AFS 3 72-75 David Cox
Nice documentary. I served on her sister ship the Wabash AOR-5. Hopefully they'll do something similar for the 'Bash.
Wabash got scrapped in 2013, I served on her from 88-93.
I was on the USS Kansas City AOR 3 in 1979. I chipped enough paint off that ship that I am surprise any was left on it. We lost at least one man at sea that year. I was on fantail watch that night. Never will I forget the many experiences, to include fights with other crew members about this and that. Some of us were just too young to think clearly. But still it was a heck of a time.
Lost at sea? Someone might have threw him overboard
Was on U.S.S.Kansas City from jan.75 to Sept 76. Was very young did alot of growing up on the KC.
Been alongside USS Kalamazoo & Milwaukee & Kalamazoo plenty of times off the east coast or in the Caribbean, used to be in awe entering Norfolk as they sat majestically empty moored at a pier about as high as a 15-20 story building.
What a great ship and great class of ship. I was on KC from 75 to 79 in engineering. Liked it so much that when the opera unity came up I was able to get stationed on USS Roanoke. Loved both ships.
There is a gentleman i met once years ago in Vegas who was on the Kansas City around the same years u served onboard....his name is Dan Ohem i believe....he was also in enginering..did u know him ?
Great ship, great times, great crew.Long,Long days during Desert Storm.Wish I was still in contact with the guys I served with.#Salute
Mista Wilson. How's it hangin?
Fantastic video. Thank you. Original orders to the KC in '71, visited her in Long Beach, for 3 or 4 hours then orders changed. Went to Wichita AOR-1 instead. I did the three Wichita video/slide shows on youtube. Definitely understand the sadness
Steve Letendre
Served on the Kansas City from 1972-1974. Great duty as a second Class Petty Office -Electronic Tech. Was on her when we sailed with the 7th Fleet off the coast of Vietnam.
Very cool.... a nice summary of life on the KC. Each department had it's own outlook I guess but I certainly don't regret being a part of her crew. (Homer 80-84)
PC 1980-81, PN 81-84 ..... I remember all these guys, and still in contact with one. Love you my brothers. 👊
Very interesting video. I served on the USS Kalamazoo. AOR-6
Awesome, I was on the AOR-7 USS Roanoke. Brought back some good memories.
I went aboard the KC while it was at general dynamics being built,chief Tuper was A gang my two years I spent aboard was a pleasure ,hi Lenny Rucker we had memories that will never be forgotten.
Informative and touching. Thanks for sharing.
Lots of memories on that old gal.Heavy rolls and an emergency break away.And becoming a shell back.74-76
Thank you very much for this very interesting insight.
My first Ship, I Was a BT On Kansas City from 1989 to 1993. I did a lot of growing up there!
I worked as a DC ( PO3) around that same time. I had a bunch of steel fall on me while at Port in California
I was on the KC from 92-94 under the command of Captain Mike Malone. I was on the decommissioning crew all the way to the end at NAS Alameda. Spent a lot of time at the helm.
Michael Owens Mad dog Malone
Hey shipmate I served at the same time you did. I worked in the engine room then I got move to A gang. I had fun aboard the ship. I guess my worst memory on the ship is when we lost the helicopter at sea.
@@terrancepollock5035 did u enjoy your time in the navy ?
MSC Castillo was my div CPO I was on board her from 75-79. I have lots of memories. Oh and MS’s did do unreps too
Thank you for your service Robert. My father was on board from 76-78. Any chance you knew him? His name is Refugio Daniel Urias from Texas.
John (Jack ) Watson I served on the USS Kansas AOR 3 from 75-77 very good crew.
My father served 76-77. Refugio Urias but he went by Danny. Any chance you knew him?
The KC had a wide beam and a deep draft therefore she was a smooth easy steamer and a great looking ship I have always been proud to have served onboard her. so sad to see her go.
I saw her in dry dock and she had a very deep draft
I did a tour on the USS Kalamazoo Aor-6 east coast she is also decommission bk 1994 was a storeskeeper I miss her now. All AOR's were the best oilers
I do remember during the Gulf war we work with the Kansas City AOR-3 in fact all the AOR'swere over there during the Gulf war.I did 4 yrs on USS Kalamazoo Aor-6
I served on her sister ship USS SAVANNAH AOR 4 from 84 to 88. I was the water king best job I ever had!!!!
Great video ' but l'm saddened that she was decommissioned in 1994 . I had just left her in 1991 and she was in great shape. Clean, well painted all the time . It was a great experience being aboard her . 🇺🇸🙏
Who is this ?
I was on Kansas City from 71 to 74 as E Div, MPA and ChEng. I used to boat past it in Benicia and it was a sad sight to see it deteriorating.
Did two Westpacs74-77 had operations with K.C worked on alcatraz Island 1994-2017 watch it get towed out the golden gate
I was a signalman on the KC from '71-'75 (4 Vietnam tours) and am proud to have served.
Served aboard the Milwaukee AOR-2 straight out of boot camp 1976-1977. Assigned to 1st division where chipping paint and applying red lead and haze/deck grey was the routine; station 3 during UNREP hauling lines. Transferred to OC div to work in the radio shack. One med cruise then to North Atlantic for Queen Elizabeth's 25th coronation anniversary. Saltine crackers, oh yeah. Can relate to the stories these guys are sharing.
my dad served on the Kansas city in the early 90's I still have a framed photo of the ship hanging up
christian crane my dad served I think 81-84, I also have the vhs tape of the pollywogs laying around
christian crane scratch that 84-87
I know how you gentlmen feel about that ship. I don't know what it is but it sure stays with you for life. I served aboard the USS Everett F. Larson DD83 from 67- 69 and I saw a lot of underway replenishments in the Soth China sea and the Tonkin Gulf. We were a member of the 23 squadron and we were the ship that tied up to what was left of the Frank E Evans on that fatal morning of June 9 1969 in the Tonkin Gulf off the coast of Vietnam sea. I remember refueling from the USS Piedmont and another ship that I can't recall the name.
As close as I have come to footage of the Kalamazoo, Awesome class of vessel.
When i was a destroyer sailor, the term AOE ment Beans, Oil and Bullets...Haze grey and underway, shift colors!!
Served on the Wichita Class AOR-5, Uss Wabash from '87 to '94 out of Long Beach. Was onboard during the Decomissioning. Miss that Boat!
Cool look at the scrapping of the ship, but lots of the info is incorrect when they talk about doing the actual Unreps.
A million memories on that old grey lady. Met a lot of great guys on her cant believe its been almost 31 years I last saw her.
Wow. I was on AOR-7, USS Roanoke. Her nickname was The Polar Express, but we called her FAO (Fast Attack Oiler) because she had a Sea Sparrow Battery and two CWIS's that the earlier ships (Like KC) weren't equipped with. At the time (late 80's), I hated it. To me, she was fugly. Yeah, we worked our butts off to keep her clean, painted and operational, but she just wasn't " combat sexy." My time on her was amazing and horrible, but all of it helped shape me; grow me up. Some memories, even when life sucked, instill life long pride and wonder. One time, we were running casualty drills up north of San Francisco. I was #1 hotsuitman on the flight deck. With nothing immediate to do, my buddies and I just sat on port side of the flight deck, legs dangling over the sides and told sea stories and lies. The ship was DIW; just gently rolling and bobbing on the waves. In the distance, there was a "shadow" that appeared on the horizon and seemed to be moving towards us. To our amazement, it was a school of thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of bottle nose dolphins. That school passed just yards from the ship and just kept going. It may have been about and hour, or more, and that school just kept going by. At one point, there was a little pod of dolphins that had a black "something" that was swimming and breaching perfectly in time with that pod. As it got closer, "one of these things is not like the others" really became apparent. It was a sea lion. That danged sea lion stayed with that one pod from one horizon to the other as it moved past. That put the icing on the 'cool cake' for me. I could go on for days, but Roanoke was one of the most awesome things I've ever been a part of. That said, I feel for you KC guys watching your Lady slip into memory. If y'all felt half of the emotions I did when the Polar Express made her way to the razor blade yard...I'm sorry. Go to the reunions!
Allen Rothery the KC between 77-81 did have a sea sparrow missile (2) at that time , don’t know about before that
Was on USS Bridge (AOE-10). Plankowner as well. Great times, now she’s mothballed in Bremerton. What a shame.
Aor 6 and Aor 3 vet. April 74 to April 79 Aor6, sept 81 to sept 83 Aor 3
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME - I was on the CV64 Constellation and on WestPac 78-79 which had 3 MODLOCKS which really sucked bad. We had 3 ships with us (Waddell DDG24, Sterett CG31, and Kansas City AOR3). You all rocked. We were suppose to go back home the next day and the next thing you know, they send us to the Indian Ocean. First time a US Naval Force was in the Indian Ocean FOREVER. IF ANYONE, was with us on that deployment, please call me BROTHER :-) Bobby Estey
I'm not a Shellback, I'm a Bluenose, much more civilized above the arctic circle. No fat guy stuff. No kegs for us, either. Thanks for posting this.
I wanted my bluenose but the rest of the crew said no so...had to go with the vote. Did get my Shellback tho.
i was on AOR 7 the Roanoke.memories!!
I can't believe a cook is describing fuelling at sea. No, we didn't use booms to transfer cargo at sea. It takes about 15 min's to refuel a fast frigate, you could be alongside a carrier half the day. Wow, I can't believe there isn't a documentary showing these Wichita class oilers in action. I was on the USS Kalamazoo AOR-6. I was a BM3 in 1987, we spent a lot of time in the N. Atlantic watching small boys porpoise alongside in 60' seas. I was on the deck slinging cargo and fuel. I totally relate to the guy talking about the weird and beautiful things you happen to see. The Aussie navy came up to play during "Northern Wedding" nato ex. Way up in the arctic, these guys on a tiny frigate were in shorts and T's and safety harness, snubbed and tended. They got maytagged (like the washer) by every wave and hung on to get their fuel. It was awe inspiring. And that was just part of one day.
The Aussies are a trip I saw them drinking beer with no shirts on laughing at us
Was on THE USS SEATTLE AOE-3 FROM 70-73.
Listing 2 these stories brings back alot memories and how true they told what they did on there ship I did the same
Anybody out there from 2nd Division on AOR-6 USS Kalamazoo???????????? I served on Kzoo from 1976-1980.
i was put on that ship when my aircraft carrier Oriskany was put into mothball fleet in 76 it was a big letdown for me i got discharged in 77 the deck crew was just a bunch of rookies just out of boot camp they couldn't even pull a300 pound ships fender up from the side of the ship i had to show them how to do it so they stuck me with the job we were allowed to be the first American navy ship to be allowed to enter Sydney harbor since wwII we almost lost our liberty because of 2 chuckle heads fighting with 2 Chinese civilians one of the sailors was named McHale the news papers reported McHale's navy strikes again luckily the rest of us had liberty Sydney was fantastic i got along great with the captain he was on the Oriskany he new me
Happy Veterans Day Shipmates 💪💯
Hated that old scow.Sad to see her like this though.Thanks for posting!
+Michael Weeks When were you on the KC? 85 to 89 for me.
+JoeFridaydragnet
86/87 3rd division You?
Was on board in the early 90's find ship great fronds IC3 MARENGO
Home sweet home. Earned my Shellback status on her. All hail Davey Jones.
Me too had a great time
Miss my friends Graziosi Rojas Galindo Clifford Baca
I remember those guys & you Luke👍
I don't know what I am posting and being removed. Everything you BROTHERS said was the truth about any NAVY SHIP. That was US - AMERICA, we rocked. Crossing the Equator, Drinking Beer and finally at the end which always PISSES ME OFF. I never EVER EVER EVER see a proper SALUTE. WE WHOEVER YOU ARE, YOU WERE TRAINED CORRECT. THAT WAS A PROPER SALUTE AND I AM SENDING A SALUTE BACK TO ALL YOU MY BROTHERS, YOUR SHIP, THE USN AND THE REST OF OUR MILITARY FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. Bobby Estey
I was stationed on the USS Sacramento AOE-1 LPO rase division best ship I was stationed on of 6 ships 2 were AE -s
Machinist Mate 1981-1986
But most of these ships are from ww2 and there getting scrapped!?
Not outriggers....king post!
I was a BT3 stood blow underway and import 1975till 1978
one more thing underway I C switch board watch the best watch on the ship went through dozens of pair of skates skating that watch. ac TV Nintendo VCR stereo just sit back and chill out the sounding and security watchmen would always hang out after there first round and then gundeck the rest everybody wanted that watch
Unfortunately I served on it from 1984-85. I hated the experience there. all the non Filipinos did was just lug the boxes and be up day and night without no sleep, while the Filipinos got all the soft jobs and were better rested also. They would often whine that they are tired and always wanted them to stand by for them on their duty day. I had a CPO that was biased and just a plain dickhead, some of the people were real assholes, and some never even cared! The berthing had Filipino sections, ghetto sections and your white boy sections! I never got to advance here, that CPO only cared about his own people. The officers there would do nothing, and let him get away with it! Thanks a lot U.S.S Kansas City! You did real well for me. I'm glad I transferred out and went to a ship berthed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii!
E DIVISION THE WAY TO GO
⁷5 till 78 B division BTOW during unrep
dont scrap it,target practice,giv to some1else or sunk it jus use it to house the homeless...
AOE WAS GOOD DUTY
I can't take a cook talking about unrep. Gotta go.
obrbob194 1070 s. state street, Ukiah, CA 95482. 707 841 6674. BRING IT CUNTLIPS!
obrbob194
FYI, YT is reviewing your terrorist threats and my local Sherriff is DYING for you to try to contact me. Again, little girl, BRING IT!
been there in 1984 and once was definately enough fo me. Some of the people, especailly supply treated you like shit!!! They would not let me advance there and some of the supply people there sucked!!! I mean some of the filipino's there would always ask for stand-by's and when you turned them down they would always crwhiy about it and would always say bad shit about you they would only have desk jobs and complain that they are tired all the time, while we were always up day and night and hardly no sleep. Thats how you got treated there
We don't care about Yoke or Zebra, or the gun shoots in Calibra, all we want to do is go back home...
How dare they cut it up total disgusting disgrace for anything in deck department bm1 turn too my chipping hammer and paint brush on rigged (3) + my buffer on the supply office passway [booss hogg sk1 they want the passway strip and wax 78 to 1982.