Little Known Command Ships
The USN built one ship and converted another specifically for use as major command ships, while a third such ship was planned for conversion.
The heavy cruiser NORTHAMPTON (CA-125), cancelled in 1945 while under construction , was subsequently in 1948 as a tactical light command ship (CLC-1) and completed in that configuration in 1953. After operating as a fleet flagship, she was reconfiguration to serve as a National Emergency Command Post Afloat (NECPA) in 1961 and re-classified as CC-1. She was decommissioned in 1970 and laid up in reserve until stricken in 1977.
The light carriers WRIGHT (originally CVL-49) and SAIPAN (CVL-48) were similarly designated for conversion to the NECPA role. The WRIGHT, also designated AVT-7 while in reserve, was converted in 1962-1963 and became CC-2; she operated in the NECPA role until 1970 when she was laid up in reserve. She was stricken in 1977.
The SAIPAN, designated as AVT-6 while in reserve after World War Two, began conversion too CC-3 in 1964, but was instead completed as a major communications relay ship in 1966 (renamed ARLINGTON and classified AGMR-2).
In the NEPCA role these ships were to provide afloat facilities for the President in the event of a national emergency or war.
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The reason that the American Army does so well in wartime, is that war is chaos, and the American Army practices chaos on a daily basis.
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