An auxiliary ship is a naval ship designed to support and other naval operations.[Cutler and Cutler, p.16] Auxiliary ships are not primary combatant vessels, though they may have some limited combat capacity, usually for purposes of self-defense.[Morris, p.192]
[ Ship Abbreviations and Symbols navy.mil]
Auxiliary ships are extremely important for navy of all sizes because if they were not present the primary fleet vessels would be unsupported. Thus, virtually every navy maintains an extensive fleet of auxiliary ships, however, the composition and size of these auxiliary fleets vary depending on the nature of each navy and its primary mission. Smaller coastal navies tend to have smaller auxiliary vessels focusing primarily on littoral and training support roles, while larger blue-water navy tend to have larger auxiliary fleets comprising longer-range fleet support vessels designed to provide support far beyond territorial waters.[ Navy Ships: Turning Over Auxiliary Ship Operations to the Military Sealift Command Could Save Millions dtic.mil]
Roles
Replenishment
One of the most direct ways that auxiliary ships support the fleet is by providing underway replenishment (also known as "replenishment at sea") to major fleet units. This allows the fleet to remain in the same location, with the replenishment vessels bringing up fuel,
ammunition, food, and supplies from
shore to the fleet wherever it is operating.
Oilers ("replenishment tankers") are vessels specifically designed to bring fuel oil to the fleet, while the earlier colliers supplied coal-burning warships. Specific role replenishment vessels include combat stores ships, , general stores issue ships, and .
Tenders are specifically designed to support a type of smaller naval unit, like , , and , providing a mobile base of operations for these units: specifically , , , torpedo boat tenders.
Transport
Supporting front-line operating bases requires immense transportation capacity. Transport ships are often converted
Cargo ship simply commissioned (APA, APD, APH, APV) into naval service. Tankers are transports specifically designed to ship fuel to forward locations. Transport ships are often employed not only carrying cargo for naval support but are in support of all forces of a nation's military (AK, AKA, AKN, AKR, AKS). In particular,
and
are used to carry a large number of soldiers to operational theatres. Some transport ships are highly specialized, like the
ammunition ships employed by the US Navy.
Large ocean tugs (AT, ATO, ATF, ATA, ATR) are used to tow large auxiliary ships, like barges, floating repair docks, and floating cranes in the open sea, also disabled ships.
Repair
Repairing ships at sea or in conflict areas is important as it allows these vessels to return to service more quickly, while also increasing the chance of survival for ships critically damaged in battle.
Repair ship (US Navy: AR, ARB, ARC, ARG, ARH, ARL, ARV) range from small equipment ships known as Auxiliary repair docks, to the larger Auxiliary floating drydocks, there are also Aircraft repair ships that specialize in repair of
naval aircraft.
Harbor
Harbor support is a critical support role, with various types of vessels including
,
, lighter barges,
Crane vessel, and others used to move ships and equipment around the port facilities, and
and tends to service ships currently in the harbor. These vessels also help maintain the harbor by dredging channels, maintaining
jetty and
, and even providing floating platforms for port defenses.
In US Navy, tugboats are type YT, YTB, YTM, YTL or a Type V ship.
Support
Radar picket to increase the radar detection range around a force. Communications Relay Ships (AGMR) are floating communications stations.
Tracking ship or Range Instrumentation Ships (AGM) are equipped with antennas and electronics to support the launching and tracking of missiles and rockets.
Command ship (AGF) are flagships of the commander of a fleet. Wind-class icebreaker (AGB WAGB) are support ships. Rescue and salvage ship and Submarine rescue ship (ASR) for surface support ship for ship and submarine rescue.
Barracks ship or Auxiliary Personal Living ships, (APL) are vessels-barges for service men to live on.
Research
A wide variety of vessels are employed as Technical Research Ships(AGTR), Tracking Ships(AGM), Environmental Research Ships (AGER), Hydrofoil Research Ships (AGEH), and
survey vessel, primarily to provide a navy with a better understanding of its operating environment or to assist in testing new technologies for employment in other vessels.
Hospital
are able to provide medical care in remote locations to personnel.
Unclassified auxiliary ship
The
US Navy also used an unclassified miscellaneous auxiliary ship classification in which the unclassified miscellaneous auxiliary ship classification is
IX. An unclassified miscellaneous auxiliary ship can be a new ship without a classified role or a ship that does not fit into a standard category or a ship that had been removed from its classification.
[ Overview — UNCLASSIFIED MISCELLANEOUS (IX) Units militaryperiscope.com][ Unclassified auxiliary ships Navsource][ Unclassified (IX): Special Types shipscribe.com]
See also
-
List of auxiliaries of the United States Navy
-
List of auxiliary ship classes in service
-
Service Squadron
-
US Naval Advance Bases
Notes
Bibliography
External links
