Kilauea (AE 26) Class: Photographs

Preliminary Design for FY 1965 AE This, the first preliminary design for an AE in the Fiscal Year 1965 building program, was based on the Maritime Administration's Mariner C4 cargo ship and generally resembled the FY 1961 Mars (AFS 1) class. Between the production of this design in April 1963 and the approval of the final characteristics for the AE 26 class in March 1964 the layout of the design was radically altered. Photo No. None Source: NARA RG 19 Entry P 62 Box 75 (SCB 249) and RG 19 Entry P 26 Boxes 7-9
USS Santa Barbara (AE 28) During preliminary acceptance trials on 8 June 1970 in Chesapeake Bay. Photo No. USN 1146507 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)
USS Kiska (AE 35) During trials on 30 October 1972 in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo No. USN 1154285 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)
USS Kilauea (AE 26) As built with four twin 3"/50 gun mounts, two well forward with shields and two at the after end of the superstructure without shields, each pair with its own Mk 56 director. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)
USS Flint (AE 32) Coming alongside USS Chicago (CG 11) in March 1976 for an underway replenishment operation during Operation Valiant Heritage off the coast of southern California. Photo No. K-113420 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)
USS Mount Baker (AE 34) As built with four twin 3"/50 gun mounts. This ship and Kiska (AE 35) differed from the earlier six ships of the class in having shields for the after as well as the forward mounts. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)
USS Mount Hood (AE 29) Returning home after a 344-day deployment. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (UA-164)
USS Kilauea (AE 26) In the Indian Ocean on 15 April 1980. The positions for the after two twin 3"/50 gun mounts and both Mk 56 directors are empty. Photo No. KN-30366 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)
USS Butte (AE 27) On 18 May 1983 after removal of the after two twin 3"/50 gun mounts on the superstructure and both Mk 56 directors. Photo No. DN-SC-87-02013 Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-330)
USNS Kilauea (T-AE 26) Kilauea passed to MSC after her 1980 Indian Ocean deployment. All armament was removed and the former after weapons positions were enclosed to provide an extra deck level. Her forward kingpost pair was removed when this modification was applied to her sisters in the 1990s. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)
USS Mount Baker (AE 34) In the Mediterranean on 12 March 1988 as just modified with close-in weapons systems (CIWS) mounts replacing the twin 3"/50 gun mounts in the forward port and after starboard weapons positions and twin 3"/50 mounts in the forward starboard and after port positions. Station 3 to starboard was also reconfigured as a fueling station for escorts including an outrigger at the top of the kingpost from which the hose is suspended. Many of her sisters also received this modification. Photo No. DN-SC-88-05449 Source: Military Sealift Command and NARA (RG-330)
USS Shasta (AE 33) In San Francisco Bay near Alcatraz Island on 9 May 1990. CIWS mounts occupy the former forward port and after starboard twin 3"/50 gun positions with twin 3"/50 mounts in the forward starboard and after port positions. Photo No. DN-SN-91-00247 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file) and NARA (RG-330)
USS Mount Baker (AE 34) As modified in 1988-1990 but with the forward kingpost pair later removed. The others also had this kingpost pair removed, some as MSC ships. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command
USS Santa Barbara (AE 28) On 16 October 1992 after the substitution of two CWIS mounts for two 3"/50 twin gun mounts and the later removal of the forward kingpost pair. The positioning of her CWIS mounts was reversed in comparison with Shasta, Mount Baker, Kiska and perhaps others, with the forward mount to starboard and the after one to port. Photo No. DN-SC-93-00863 Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-330)
USS Mount Hood (AE 29) On 31 May 1996, with no armament visible and with her forward kingpost pair removed. Photo No. DN-ST-98-00557 Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-330)