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USS Frank Cable Repairs Keep 7th Fleet Afloat

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030918-18

Release Date: 9/19/2003 2:16:00 AM

By Seaman Katie McNelis, USS Frank Cable Public Affairs

POLARIS POINT, Guam (NNS) -- USS Frank Cable (AS 40) is at it again, repairing ships throughout the 7th Fleet.

This month, Frank Cable spent her time in Sasebo, Japan, with USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) and USS Essex (LHD 2). Before Cable arrived, a team of her Sailors flew to Sasebo to work on USS Juneau (LPD 10). Juneau was receiving an Inspection and Survey Board, which is an inspection throughout the whole ship. The ship must pass the inspection before it is allowed to go underway again.

It took about three weeks to finish all the jobs.

Hull Technician 2nd Class Nathaniel Kessler was one of the Sailors that went on the fly-away.

"Overall, the jobs went great. We got a lot of work done," Kessler said while taking a break from the welding job. This was Kessler's first fly-away for Cable. "I love my job, because I make the ships able to float. That is why I love what I do."

Hull Technician Fireman Alex Rhinko agreed with Kessler.

"I feel that the jobs went really well. We got what we needed to get done," said Rhinko.

Rhinko mentioned that Juneau's crew was very grateful. The Juneau's repair department is a very small department, which is why the assistance from Cable was so important. Cable can provide these ships with what they need to be successful in their mission, by supplying the expertise and equipment to fix almost any part of the ships they service.

Frank Cable's R-1 division performed its mission by completing 28 jobs and more than 426 man-hours on Essex.

Now that the Cable is in port, it will soon start working on the Fort McHenry, helping her crew members with what they need to be successful in their mission, as well.

"We work as a team to get the jobs done," said Hull Technician 2nd Class Gary Williams.

Cable is the 7th Fleet's mobile repair facility. The ship has a full machine shop and other facilities, which makes it an invaluable resource to the fleet.