USS Caloosahatchee (AO-98)

USS Caloosahatchee (AO-98) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler constructed for the U.S. Navy during World War II, but commissioned too late to serve in that conflict. Named after the Caloosahatchee River in southwest Florida, the ship had an extensive career in the Cold War.

Launched on 2 June 1945 by Bethlehem Steel-Sparrows Point Shipyard in Maryland, Caloosahatchee was commissioned and reported to the Atlantic Fleet the same year. In her early years, she operated off the U.S. East Coast, transporting oil and fueling ships at sea, including a voyage to Iceland. From 1947 to 1960, she was regularly deployed with the U.S. 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, symbolizing the U.S. Navy's prowess in at-sea replenishment.

Among her notable operations, Caloosahatchee participated in NATO Operation Mariner in 1953 and provided training for future naval officers. She also took part in large-scale Atlantic Fleet exercises, such as Operation Springboard in the Caribbean.

Between 1966 and 1968, she underwent "jumboization," where a new 400-foot midsection was inserted to increase her liquid cargo capacity by over one-third. She was recommissioned in 1969 and homeported in Newport, Rhode Island.

During the 1970s, Caloosahatchee saw active participation, including the naval blockade off Lebanon in 1970, extensive overhauls, and temporary assignments with various fleets. In 1975, she was involved in a collision in the Mediterranean and spent months in Italy for repairs. Another collision occurred in 1977 with USS Rich (DD-820) off Puerto Rico.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Caloosahatchee continued her deployment in the Mediterranean, North Atlantic, and Caribbean, engaging in refueling missions and exercises. She set records for replenishments and participated in various deployments, including her last deployment to the Mediterranean in 1988, where she conducted 191 underway replenishments.

Caloosahatchee's service demonstrated the Navy's commitment to mobility, flexibility, and global presence during a critical period in history. Her contributions to peacekeeping efforts, naval training, and technological enhancements made her an essential asset in the Cold War era. Her operations reflected a balance of routine duties, strategic engagements, and unexpected challenges.