SS Cape Avinof (AK-5013)

 military, ship, cargo, United States Navy

Built in 1962 as the SS African Sun for Farrell Lines and operating in the commercial trades until 1980 when she was turned over to MARAD for a newbuild, the African Sun was renamed the SS Cape Avinof and entered the RRF (Ready Reserve Fleet) as one of the Military Sealift Command's Modular Cargo Delivery System Ships. Layberthed at Baltimore, the Avinof was activated in 1991 to support of US Forces during the First Gulf War where she carried ammunition to the Persian Gulf through June 1992 before returning to the Reserve Fleet.

Downgraded from the Ready Reserve Fleet in October 2003, she was maintained as an active unit of the National Defense Reserve Fleet and used as a training aid for special forces through October 1st, 2017 when the vessel was downgraded to "stripping" status in advance of eventual scrap sale.

www.marad.dot.gov/sh/ShipHistory/Detail/685
www.navsource.org/archives/09/13/135013.htm