Frank Cable Hosts First Multinational Sub Talks in Malaysia
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060922-10
Release Date: 9/22/2006 3:49:00 PM
By Mass Comunication Specialist 1st Class(SW) Jeremy Johnson, USS Frank Cable Public Affairs
PORT KLANG, Malaysia (NNS) -- Submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) hosted 40 international military guests during the first multinational submarine staff talks Sept. 19-20 between the U.S. Navy, Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Malaysia is in the process of developing a submarine force to protect the 24 million citizens living within its 2,900 miles of coastline. It will begin operating its first Scorpene-class submarine in 2009.
“We came here with the Royal Australian Navy to help Malaysia develop their program,” said Rear Adm. John M. Bird, commander, Submarine Group 7. “We’re looking to network with the Malaysian navy with an eye towards submarine safety and encouraging a full and open dialogue.”
“The Australian submarine force has worked with Malaysia for quite some time as they explored the idea of getting their own subs,” said Commander of Australian Navy Submarine Group, Commodore Richard Chalders. “Whenever you take on something like building a sub program from the ground up, you need help. The Australian program has only been around since the 1960s, but we’ve got plenty of experience we can share. No matter where you go in the world, submariners have a unique relationship and they look out for each other. Events like this ensure that these relationships are enduring.”
When RMN took the first formal steps towards creating their own force, Australia and Malaysia invited the U.S. Navy to come and share some of their experience and wisdom. Bird said bringing members of the three different navies together afforded everyone an opportunity to learn from each other.
“We shared a lot of information with our guests, but we also learned from them,” said Bird. “We were able to find out what types of concerns they have and get their input on the regional issues that they are the subject matter experts on. We were also able to experience their culture and take something from that.”
The goal of the talks was to introduce the Malaysians to U.S. and Australian submarine training, operations and traditions through briefings and discussions. The topics covered included training, safety, submarine rescue, maintenance and repair, and joint operations and exercises.
“We need to cooperate,” said RMN First Adm. Amzah Bin Sulaiman, Malaysia’s senior naval representative. “For example, we already have a network of partners in Asia for air and sea search and rescue. We need the same for submarines. You don’t have to be from the country to help. The first one there helps. I’ve learned from this conference that submariners really do look out for each other, and we look forward to being a part of this great community.”
RMN Commander Jeffry Faisal, a member of the Malaysian Submarine Project Team, said he was impressed with how well everything went.
“Before these talks, we read as much as we could about U.S. submarines because the U.S. has a very comprehensive program," Faisal said. "We’re starting from scratch. After these last two days, I was very impressed and I believe there’s still a lot we can learn from the U.S.”
“I believe the future of our partnership is bright,” Bird said.
Frank Cable wasn’t the only unit on hand for the conference. The attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713) became the first U.S. sub to visit Malaysia in seven years. Guests and members of the press were given guided tours of both ships.
The Guam-based tender was proud to host the first of these conferences.
“We were happy to host this event,” said Frank Cable’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Leo Goff. “It was a great honor to be a part of the inaugural submarine talks with Malaysia and Australia. In addition to the wonderful opportunity to participate in this historic event, it provided the forum to exercise and show off the ship's capabilities, from our role as a sea base and a sea shield for USS Houston, to being a flagship for Group 7, to the world class skills of our culinary artists.”
While the talks were happening on the ship, more than 1,000 Sailors from both ships were exposed to a culture that mirrors America in its diversity as a melting pot of its neighboring Asian cultures. Having time off gave them a chance to see parts of those cultures they wouldn’t normally get to experience and to share American culture with Malaysians.
“Liberty here is great and the crew has really enjoyed it,” said Houston Commanding Officer, Cmdr. John Zavadil. “The people here are very friendly and tolerant. I highly recommend this port for other (U.S.) subs.”
“Malaysia provided great liberty for the Cable crew in a wonderfully rich and diverse culture,” added Goff. “The port exceeded all my expectations.”
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