Cimarronclass

The Cimarron class was a class of oil tankers built for the United States Navy during the Cold War. These ships were designed to support naval operations by providing fuel to warships at sea. Construction began in the late 1960s, and the lead ship, USNS Cimarron, was commissioned in 1969. A total of eight ships were built in this class.

Cimarron-class tankers were characterized by their large size and high speed, enabling them to keep pace with naval task forces. They were equipped with advanced refueling systems, including alongside and underway replenishment capabilities. The vessels were operated by the Military Sealift Command, a non-commissioned component of the U.S. Navy responsible for the sea-lift and ocean transportation of military equipment and supplies.

These tankers played a vital role in projecting U.S. naval power globally. They participated in numerous deployments and operations, including the Vietnam War and various exercises in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Their service spanned several decades, with ships being decommissioned gradually from the late 1990s into the early 2000s. The Cimarron class was eventually replaced by newer and more advanced oilers, such as the Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet oilers.