The USS Orion (AS-18) was a submarine tender of the United States Navy, launched on 31 March 1943. It was commissioned on 15 December 1943 and served primarily during World War II, providing maintenance and support to submarines in the Pacific Theater. The ship played a crucial role in ensuring the operational readiness of submarines during the war. After the war, the USS Orion continued to serve in various capacities, including support for the Cold War submarines. It was decommissioned on 1 September 1993 and later sold for scrapping in 1994, marking the end of its nearly 50 years of service.