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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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Photo # NH 97625:  USS Arlington underway, circa 1967

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Arlington (AGMR-2), 1966-1976.
Previously USS Saipan (CVL-48)

USS Arlington, a 14,500-ton major communications relay ship, was originally commissioned in July 1946 as the small aircraft carrier Saipan (CVL-48). In April 1965, while in the midst of a lengthy conversion at Mobile, Alabama, the ship was renamed Arlington. Recommissioned in August 1966, she continued fitting out until early the next year, when she began operations with a shakedown cruise to the Caribbean. During February and March 1967, Arlington participated in exercises off northern Europe.

In July 1967, Arlington steamed to the Pacific via the Panama Canal and continued on to Vietnam. She stayed in the Far East area from August 1967 until late 1968, providing communications support during the Southeast Asian conflict and visiting ports from Japan to Australia. In December 1968, May 1969 and July 1969, Arlington worked out of Pearl Harbor, assisting in the Apollo 8, 10 and 11 space flight recovery efforts. She returned to Asian waters for further Vietnam War operations in January-April and June-July 1969, and also helped with communications during a June 1969 conference between U.S. President Nixon and Republic of Vietnam President Thieu. USS Arlington arrived in California in August 1969. Decommissioned in January 1970, she was retained in the Pacific Reserve Fleet until stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in August 1975. Arlington was sold for scrapping in June 1976.

This page features all of our views of USS Arlington (AGMR-2), and provides a link to views of her when she was USS Saipan (CVL-48).

For images of this ship while she was still the aircraft carrier Saipan, see:

  • USS Saipan (CVL-48).

    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 97625

    USS Arlington (AGMR-2)


    Underway, circa 1967.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 103KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 69304

    USS Arlington (AGMR-2)


    Underway at sea, circa 1968, with her crew manning the rail and two SH-3 helicopters flying in the right distance.
    The original print was received from USS Arlington in 1969.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 590 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 72150

    USS Arlington (AGMR-2)


    Captain Charles A. Darrah, the ship's Commanding Officer, inspects his crew, during commissioning ceremonies on 27 August 1966.
    The original caption identifies the location as Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company, Mobile, Alabama.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 72151

    USS Arlington (AGMR-2)


    Captain Charles A. Darrah, the ship's Commanding Officer, shakes hands with Major General Smith, Chief of Staff, Defense Communications Agency, as the latter visits Arlington during 1966.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 98KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 70452-KN (Color)

    USS Arlington (AGMR-2)

    Ships' insignia adopted in about 1965.
    Its design features symbols representing the ship's communications mission. The Latin motto "Ubi Actio Est", translated "where the action is", is printed on a strip of teletype tape.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 116KB; 670 x 675 pixels

     

    For images of this ship while she was still the aircraft carrier Saipan, see:

  • USS Saipan (CVL-48).


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 3 June 2001