USNS Spica (T-AFS-9)

The USNS Spica (T-AFS-9) was a combat stores ship acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1981. The Spica served the Navy fleet until she was deactivated in 2008.

Built in England
The Spica, originally known as RFA Tarbatness (A345) was built at Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., Wallsend-On-Tyne, England, for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. She was laid down on 1 April 1965 and was launched on 1 February 1967.

Purchased by the U.S. Navy
The Spica was purchased by the U.S. Navy, and was then placed into service as a combat supply ship on 1 November 1981 as the USNS Spica (T-AFS-9), a unit of the Military Sealift Command (MSC), MSC Naval Auxiliary Force.

Mission
The Spica’s mission was to provide underway replenishment in support of naval forces by providing refrigerated supplies, dry supplies, spare parts, general supplies, fleet freight, mail, and replacement personnel by alongside or by vertical replenishment processes.

Operational history
There is no current operational history on Spica.

Honors and awards
Qualified USS Spica  personnel are authorized the following medals:
 * Joint Meritorious Unit Award
 * Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
 * Navy Battle Efficiency E Ribbon
 * National Defense Service Medal
 * Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
 * Southwest Asia Service Medal
 * Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Note
There is no journal entry on Spica (T-AFS-9) at DANFS.