SS Curtiss (T-AVB-4) is one of two Wright-class

SS Wright (T-AVB-3)

SS Wright is one of two Aviation Logistics Support Container Ships built for the United States Navy in 1968.The lead ship of her class of two, she was originally laid down 1 June 1968 at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc...

 Aviation Logistics Support (Roll-on/Roll-off) Container Ships built for the United States Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

 in 1968. The sister ship is called the S.S. Wright.

Originally laid down 1 April 1968 at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc. of Pascagoula, Mississippi

Pascagoula, Mississippi

Pascagoula is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States. It is the principal city of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, as a part of the Gulfport–Biloxi–Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. The population was 26,200 at the 2000 census...

 as SS Great Republic under Maritime Administration contract (MA 222), the ship was launched 1 December 1968 and delivered to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) on 1 July 1969. Renamed USNS Curtiss (T-AVB-4) on 14 May 1986, she was assigned to MARAD Ready Reserve Force, (RRF), MSC PM-5 Sealift Program Office, Logistics Prepositioning Force.

SS Curtiss are outfitted with both a stern ramp and side ports. Their roll-on/roll-off deck runs the complete length of the ship. When outfitted with mobile facilities, the ships can service aircraft while anchored offshore.Curtiss provides support for Marine Corps

United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...

 helicopter

Helicopter

A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...

s and is maintained in reduced status ROS-5 (five day reactivation status) at Port Hueneme, California

Port Hueneme, California

Port Hueneme is a small beach city in Ventura County, California surrounded by the city of Oxnard and the Pacific Ocean. The name derives from the Spanish spelling of the Chumash wene me, meaning "Resting Place". The area was discovered by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in the mid 16th century...

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Currently USNS Curtiss is at Pier 9 Naval Station San Diego

Naval Station San Diego

Naval Base San Diego is the largest base of the United States Navy on the west coast of the United States, in San Diego, California. Naval Base San Diego is the principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet, consisting of 54 ships and over 120 tenant commands. The base is composed of 13 piers stretched...

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