NAVY WIRE SERVICE (NWS) - 21 December 1998 -


NWS21dec-2. USS Merrimack decommissioned in Norfolk
by SURFLANT Public Affairs


	NORFOLK (NWS) --USS Merrimack (AO 179) was decommissioned 
Dec. 18 at Naval Station Norfolk.	Merrimack, the fourth ship 
to bear the name, was commissioned in New Orleans Nov. 14, 1981. 
She transported bulk petroleum products, fleet freight and 
personnel from shore depots to combatants and support forces 
afloat.  
	Merrimack's service to the fleet included seven 
deployments to the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, and 
visits to the Eastern Pacific and Arabian Gulf.  
	Merrimack played a vital role in numerous NATO exercises 
and took part in peacekeeping efforts in Lebanon, the Middle 
East and Bosnia. In 1993, Merrimack responded quickly, providing 
logistic support to units participating in Operation "Restore 
Democracy" off the coast of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In 1994, 
while deployed to the Red Sea, Merrimack became the first fleet 
oiler to participate in the multi-national Red Sea Maritime 
Intercept Force. Ship's company boarded and searched 10 merchant 
vessels in support of U.N. sanctions against Iraq.  
                               -USN-