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TSgt. John A. Chapman (T-AK-323)

1992–

The first U.S. Navy ship to be named for TSgt. John A. Chapman, USAF (14 July 1965-4 March 2002) who was the first USAF Combat Controller to earn the Air Force Cross. During the 17-hour engagement at Takur Ghar, Afghanistan, also called the “Battle of Robert’s Ridge,” he was one of two airmen posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross.

(T-AK-323; displacement 26,378; length 670’; beam 87’; 34’6”; speed 16 knots; complement 21 civilians; class TSgt. John A. Chapman).

TSgt. John A. Chapman (T-AK-323) was built by Chantier Naval de la Chotat Shipyard, France in 1978 as CGM Utirillo; purchased in 1992 by American Automar, re-flagged US, and re-named American Merlin; acquired by Military Sealift Command (MSC) under long term lease; American Merlin was operated for MSC as part of the Prepositioning Program until 2001; returned to her owners after completion of her MSC charter in late 2001; acquired by Sealift Incorporated and renamed Merlin; reacquired by MSC under long term contract in 2003; renamed TSgt. John A. Chapman (AK-323) on 8 April 2005.

TSGT John A. Chapman-8Apr2005-20130501201638-93342c82-me
A shot of TSgt. John A. Chapman, taken on 8 April 2005. The ship is owned and operated by Sealift, Inc., under charter to MSC, and carries U.S. Air Force cargo. (Ship Inventory, MSC)

Detailed history pending.

Christopher B. Havern Sr.

15 December 2015

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Published: Thu Feb 25 11:03:48 EST 2016