AJ, I was on the Papago until I was discharged, June 1976. Perhaps we overlapped? I was an RM2 when I got out. Our CO was Lt. William Clifford and he was going to be leaving that year going back to graduate school in Monterey, CA.
papago atf-160 was cut up for scrap metal in oct. 2002 in Portsmouth va. I have pictures of her there. kjwrlam@aol.com
Stanley R. Christensen
May 30, 2016 at 5:36 pmLog in to Reply
I served in the USS Papago from 1957 to 1960 as OPS officer and XO. I was fortunate to serve with a great bunch of guys. It was a truly unforgettable experience!
Interesting to see that things hadn’t changed much over the years. I was on the Moctobi from 1983 to 1985 as XO and SUPPO. Had a young Ensign for OPS and a W3 for CHENG. Best years of my 22 year career!
My father EMCS Sam McNeil, served on the Papago from Nov 1963 to Dec 1967, as a small child during these years I have fond memories of this ship. As the ship was tying up the mail clerk would hand me over the side of the pier to my Dad. As fate had it I joined the Navy as well, I had to pleasure to go aboard the Papago while down in GITMO Cuba and bought my dad a current USS Papago hat, got a Senior Chief hat device and gave this to him for a Christmas present. He wore that hat with pride. As he told it he served on her for a year and 36 months. He passed away on Dec. 3rd of 2016. Thanks for allowing me to share this.
Charles McNeil, HTC(SW/AW) (Ret)
My father Richard E Harris “AKA Dick” served on the Papago from April 1968-April 1972. You guys must have left an impression as this was the only ship he would speak about. If I am not mistaken he is in one of the pictures standing looking at the camera while the guy behind him is shooting a bird. I lost him in 2010, but he legitimately missed that boat
I was on the Papago 1974-1976 stationed in Little Creek VA. The last cruise I took was in the late Spring of 76. We picked up an old Sub Tender (I believe) in Port Athur, TX. On the way bac as we rounded the southern tip of FL, there was a fire in the engine electrical control and we lost power. We had to cut the tender loose (we all went to Gen Quarters when this happened). Then we stayed with the tow as it drifted southward whilst we awaited the Paiute’s arrival from LCRK. Anyone out there recall this?
I served on the USS Papago ATF 160 from 1976-1982. I was in the Deck Dept. SR-BM2. Would love to hear from crew members.
I understand the Papago is in the Moth Ball Fleet in Philadelphia. Can anyone confirm?
AJ, I was on the Papago until I was discharged, June 1976. Perhaps we overlapped? I was an RM2 when I got out. Our CO was Lt. William Clifford and he was going to be leaving that year going back to graduate school in Monterey, CA.
papago atf-160 was cut up for scrap metal in oct. 2002 in Portsmouth va. I have pictures of her there. kjwrlam@aol.com
I served in the USS Papago from 1957 to 1960 as OPS officer and XO. I was fortunate to serve with a great bunch of guys. It was a truly unforgettable experience!
Interesting to see that things hadn’t changed much over the years. I was on the Moctobi from 1983 to 1985 as XO and SUPPO. Had a young Ensign for OPS and a W3 for CHENG. Best years of my 22 year career!
My father EMCS Sam McNeil, served on the Papago from Nov 1963 to Dec 1967, as a small child during these years I have fond memories of this ship. As the ship was tying up the mail clerk would hand me over the side of the pier to my Dad. As fate had it I joined the Navy as well, I had to pleasure to go aboard the Papago while down in GITMO Cuba and bought my dad a current USS Papago hat, got a Senior Chief hat device and gave this to him for a Christmas present. He wore that hat with pride. As he told it he served on her for a year and 36 months. He passed away on Dec. 3rd of 2016. Thanks for allowing me to share this.
Charles McNeil, HTC(SW/AW) (Ret)
My father Richard E Harris “AKA Dick” served on the Papago from April 1968-April 1972. You guys must have left an impression as this was the only ship he would speak about. If I am not mistaken he is in one of the pictures standing looking at the camera while the guy behind him is shooting a bird. I lost him in 2010, but he legitimately missed that boat
I was on the Papago 1974-1976 stationed in Little Creek VA. The last cruise I took was in the late Spring of 76. We picked up an old Sub Tender (I believe) in Port Athur, TX. On the way bac as we rounded the southern tip of FL, there was a fire in the engine electrical control and we lost power. We had to cut the tender loose (we all went to Gen Quarters when this happened). Then we stayed with the tow as it drifted southward whilst we awaited the Paiute’s arrival from LCRK. Anyone out there recall this?