OVERVIEW: The MARS class AFS is a steam-powered Combat Stores Ship.

DETAILS:   The MARS class AFS are designed for underway replenishment, in support of carrier task force groups, providing refrigerated stores, dry provisions, technical spares, general stores, fleet freight, mail and personnel by alongside or vertical replenishment. They have five underway replenishment stations (2 Starboard, 3 Port).  Initially they carried no fuel oil or liquid cargo, but by the early 1990s the class was refitted with limited refuel capacities for F-76 Fuel.  

Specifications: 

       Displacement:  18,962 tons (full load)
       Speed: 21 knts
       Engineering: 1 shaft, 3 steam boilers
       Range:
       Complement: 446 (USN) or 175 (USN and MSC)
       In Commission: 1963-2010
       Completed: 7

NOTES: Units in class: MARS (AFS-1); SYLVANIA (AFS-2); NIAGARA FALLS (AFS-3); WHITE PLAINS (AFS-4); CONCORD (AFS-5); SAN DIEGO (AFS-6); SAN JOSE (AFS-7)    
All units were transferred to Military Sealift Command (MSC) beginning in 1992.
   

SOURCES: "AFS-1 Mars Combat Stores Ship - Navy Ships." Federation Of American Scientists -. Accessed August 3, 2016. http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/afs-1.htm ; "AFS-1 Mars Combat Stores Ship." GlobalSecurity.org - Reliable Security Information. Accessed August 3, 2016. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/afs-1.htm ; "Mars-class Combat Stores Ship." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Accessed August 3, 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars-class_combat_stores_ship.





