HISTORY
USNS Gordon
(T-AKR-296) is a Gordon-class roll on roll off vehicle cargo
ship of the United States Navy. She was originally built as
a merchant vessel but later acquired and converted by the
Navy, and assigned to the United States Department of
Defense's Military Sealift Command.[1] Gordon was built in
Denmark in 1972 as MV Jutlandia, and entered commercial
service on 1 June 1973. After some time spent in commercial
service she was lengthened by Hyundai Heavy Industries in
1984, and later went on to be acquired by the US Navy under
a long term charter. She was converted to a US Navy Vehicle
Roll-on/Roll-off Ship at Newport News Shipbuilding and
Drydock Company and on delivery to the Navy was assigned to
the Military Sealift Command on 23 August 1996 under the
name USNS Gordon, after Medal of Honor recipient Master
Sergeant Gary Gordon. Gordon is one of 28 Strategic Sealift
Ships operated by the Military Sealift Command. She is
assigned to the MSC Atlantic surge force and is maintained
at Canton, Baltimore, Maryland in Reduced Operational Status
4, meaning she can be on her way to pick up cargo within 4
days of notification. |