USNS VADM K. R. Wheeler

USNS VADM K. R. Wheeler (T-AG-5001), (formerly (AG-5001)), is an Offshore Petroleum Distribution System (OPDS) ship built in 2007.^[1] The ship is named after Vice Admiral Kenneth Ray Wheeler, an American sailor who was a Legion of Merit recipient and Prisoner of War during World War II.^[2]

USNS VADM K. R. Wheeler
History
United States
Name	VADM K. R. Wheeler
Namesake	Kenneth Ray Wheeler
Owner	Military Sealift Command (2007–2012) United States Navy (2012–present)
Builder	Edison Chouest Offshore
Completed	2007
Acquired	20 September 2007
Homeport	Galliano
Identification	IMO number: 9354038 MMSI number: 369887000 Callsign: NWLE Hull number: T-AG-5001
Status	Active
General characteristics
Type	Offshore Petroleum Distribution System
Displacement	6,491 t (6,388 long tons)
Length	349 ft 0 in (106.38 m)
Beam	70 ft 0 in (21.34 m)
Draft	26 ft 0 in (7.92 m)
Propulsion	diesel engine
Speed	15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Capacity	500,000 barrels petroleum
Complement	26 mariners

Construction and commissioning

VADM K. R. Wheeler in 2024

The ship was built in 2007 by Edison Chouest Offshore, Louisiana. Later acquired and placed in service with the Military Sealift Command (MSC) on 20 September 2007, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida under a 5 year contract. She was put into the Prepositioning Program and the Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron 3. The ship operates in the Pacific Ocean.^[3]

On 20 August 2012, she was then bought by United States Navy to be used as an OPDS, with the support of USNS Fast Tempo.^[3] She supported the Combined Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (CJLOTS) 2015 exercise off South Korea on 3 July 2015.^[4] Military officials including Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, attended a tour of the OPDS VADM K. R. Wheeler during Exercise Ssang Yong 16, off Pohang on 17 March 2016.^[5]

The ship together with Task Force-West assisted the islands of Tinian and Saipan after they were struck by Typhoon Yutu on 24 October 2018.^[6]