Conversion From Merchantman To Technical Research Ship AG-159
In October 1960 Samuel R. Aitken was towed to the New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, New York. for conversion. Named Oxford (AG–159) on 25 November 1960, she commissioned at New York 8 July 1961, Comdr. Howard R. Lund in command. She reported to Norfolk, Virginia, 11 September for duty with the Service Force, Atlantic Fleet, and shortly thereafter conducted shakedown out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Oxford was designed to conduct research in the reception of electromagnetic propagations. Equipped with the latest antenna systems and measuring devices, she is a highly sophisticated and mobile station which can steam to various parts of the world to participate in the Navy’s comprehensive program of research and development projects in communications. Because of the immediate or potential military applications of her work, much of Oxford’s employment is classified.
Read more about this topic: USS Oxford (AGTR-1)
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