In keeping with the pattern of the naming the Algol-class ships after bright stars, the Altair was named after Altair, the brightest star in the constellation Aquila and the twelfth brightest star in the night sky.
Conversion
Conversion began on 28 July 1984 at Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her cargo hold was redesigned into a series of decks connected by ramps so vehicles can be driven into and out of the cargo hold for fast loading and unloading. She was also fitted with two sets of two cranes; one set located at midship capable of lifting 35 tons, and another set located aft capable of lifting 50 tons.[2] She was delivered to the Military Sealift Command on 13 November 1985 as USNS Altair (T-AKR 291).[4]
Service
When not active, Algol is kept in reduced operating status due to her high operating cost, initially a ROS-3 (96 hour) and currently a ROS-5 (120 hour) activation readiness.[5]Altair took part in the Persian Gulf War in 1990. Along with the other seven Algol class cargo ships, she transported 14 percent of all cargo delivered between the United States and Saudi Arabia during and after the war.[6]