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USS Ajax (AR-6)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Ajax (AR-6). 

The USSAjax (AR-6) was laid down on 7 May 1941 at San Pedro, Calif., by the Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Drydock Corp.; launched on 22 August 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Isaac C. Johnson; commissioned on 30 October 1943, Comdr. John L. Brown in command.

The repair ship departed San Pedro on 9 December, arrived at Pearl Harbor on 16 December, and began preparing small craft to be used as control vessels in the Marshall Islands campaign by installing radar, sound detection equipment, and antiaircraft guns.

USS Ajax (AR-6) returned from the United States to Japan in February 1960 and in June received orders changing her home port from San Diego to Sasebo. She then became the permanent flagship of ServRon 3 in the Far East. She moved to Yokosuka in August to begin her first yard overhaul in the Orient.

On 14 June 1971, following a year's service on the California coast, the ship once again steamed toward Japan and arrived in Sasebo on 5 July. Commander, Service Group (ComServGru) 3, embarked; and USS Ajax (AR-6) commenced business as usual. On 27 January 1972, ComServGru 3 shifted his flag to Hector; and Ajax steamed via Pearl Harbor to San Diego where she arrived on 16 February and served for the remainder of the year.

She continued so engaged into January of 1985, though she interrupted those efforts from the 19th to the 21st to carry out sea trials in the southern California operating area. The repair ship embarked upon the long voyage across the Pacific Ocean on 21 February 1986. She stopped at Pearl Harbor between 8 and 10 March and arrived back in San Diego on the 18th. Following the usual leave and upkeep period, USS Ajax (AR-6) resumed her repair services. That activity lasted until the second week in September when she began preparations to go out of service. USS Ajax (AR-6) was decommissioned at San Diego on 31 December 1986.

For a full history of the USS Ajax (AR-6) please see its DANFS page