The Communist Ship That Served the U.S. Military
The Origin and Early Years of the GTS Vladimir Vaslyayev
Originally laid down at the Chernomorski Shipyard in 1983, the USNS Roy M. Wheat was originally christened as the GTS Vladimir Vaslyayev and was operated by the GTS Vladimir Vaslyayev in the USSR.
Launched in 1987 and despite being operated by what was a “Civilian” company, the Vladimir Vaslyayev was intended to be used to support the Soviet Navy. But a few years after its launch, the USSR collapsed and soon the ship was at risk of just being laid up before being sent to the breakers.
The Unlikely Buyer: The U.S. Navy
But in 1997, an unlikely buyer appeared and acquired the Vladimir Vaslyayev for what was a “Ceremonial” price: the U.S. Navy. Specifically, the Military Sealift Command, sometimes called the “Navy within the Navy.” Basically, the MSC handles all the maritime logistics for the U.S. Military and operates a large number of cargo/transport ships. Many of whom are operated by civilian crews.
The Massive Refit
But of course, when the MSC got the ship, they soon realized that the former Soviet vessel was going to need A LOT of work, as Soviet standards did not live up to those of the U.S. Navy.
As a result, a contract was awarded to the Ocean Marine Navigation Company to completely refit the vessel. At a cost of an estimated $150 million, the Vaslyayev was given a massive upgrade to its systems (navigation, communications, etc.), the addition of massive cargo cranes, two large garages for vehicles, and most notably, the addition of a helipad on the stern of the vessel. They basically gutted the ship of all its Soviet components and added modern systems to bring it up to spec.
The Final Years of the USNS Roy M. Wheat
After its conversion and refit, the vessel was finally renamed to the U.S.N.S. Roy M. Wheat and handed over to the MSC in 2003. Thus becoming the only US Navy vessel to be built in the USSR, it would operate mostly in the Mediterranean in support of U.S. and other allied nations.
She would remain in service until the end of 2021, when she would be decommissioned and sent to the James River Reserve Fleet in Virginia where she is slated to be sent to the breakers. At present, she is still there.
~NC
