A US Navy submarine tender, which serves as a mobile maintenance and logistic support for submarines, completed its first visit to Kure, Japan, where it trained with the Japanese submarine service.
Emory S. Land-class submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) completed its stay in Japan on November 27, but not before conducting tender operations with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
While in Kure, Frank Cable carried out tender operations with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Soryu-class submarine JS Sekiryu (SS 508). The exercise included testing various connections to ensure Frank Cable could provide tender service to our JMSDF allies, if ever needed.
“This was a historic port visit for our crew, as it marked Frank Cable’s first visit to Kure, Japan,” said Capt. Albert Alarcon, Frank Cable’s commanding officer. “More significantly, this was the first time a US Navy submarine tender provided services to a JMSDF Soryu-class submarine moored alongside, which is a great step forward in advancing interoperability with the JMSDF Fleet Submarine Force.”
During the four-day port visit Frank Cable and Sekiryu organized sailor exchanges to tour each vessel. Sailors exchanged command coins and covers with one another and made new friendships, strengthening ties with JMSDF partners.
“It was a great experience building friendships with our Japanese partners,” said Frank Cable’s Command Master Chief Norman Clarke. “Seeing the pride they take in their submarine fleet. My favorite [part of touring the submarine] was seeing the differences in how their submarines are powered [diesel electric] and how ours are nuclear-powered.”
This was the third port visit for Frank Cable during her fall patrol. Frank Cable departed Apra Harbor, Guam on October 18 for their deployment to the US 7th Fleet area of operations.
Frank Cable, forward-deployed to the island of Guam, repairs, rearms, and reprovisions submarines and surface vessels in the Indo-Pacific region. Frank Cable is on patrol conducting expeditionary maintenance and logistics in support of national security in the US 7th Fleet area of operations.
