Deployment Milestones Mark New Era for Frank Cable
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS061017-14
Release Date: 10/17/2006 4:23:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Jeremy Johnson, USS Frank Cable Public Affairs
APRA HARBOR, Guam (NNS) -- Submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) is marking a new chapter in its history with the Oct. 13 completion of a five-week deployment to three ports in the Western Pacific.
The 28-year-old ship’s typical mission is to provide repair, weapons and logistical support to submarines; however, this mission proved its capabilities extend well beyond that.
During the ship’s first port visit to Port Klang, Malaysia, in September, Frank Cable marked a diplomatic first by playing host to members of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and Commander, Submarine Group 7, in the first submarine talks held between the three nations. The multinational get-together was aimed at helping Malaysia prepare for the arrival of its first two Scorpene-class submarines beginning in 2009.
RMN Cmdr. 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," said Faisal. "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.”
“We shared a lot of information with our guests, but we also learned from them,” said Commander, Submarine Group 7, Rear Adm. John 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.”
In addition to the talks, the tender provided support to attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713) while it was moored alongside.
After the ship left Malaysia, it marked another milestone by acting as a “sea shield," providing more than 40 hours of force protection by escorting Houston through the Straits of Malacca from Port Klang to Singapore.
Submarines navigating the Straits of Malacca are safer on the surface because of the underwater obstacles that exist, so sea shield support is critical there due to the possibility of confrontation from determined enemies.
“Our weapons department personnel and personnel outside weapons department who volunteered for gun teams did an outstanding job,” said Frank Cable Weapons Officer, Lt. Darrin Pitre. “They were ready to combat any threat. Additionally, our bridge teams did an outstanding job identifying potential threats and acted accordingly to combat them.”
Once in Singapore, Frank Cable again exceeded its mission by offering medical and dental services to the U.S. Navy’s only High-Speed Vessel, Swift (HSV 2) while they were moored nearby.
“We’re normally responsible for servicing submarines, however, when we pull in to a port, we canvass the area and let other U.S. ships know that we’re here to assist,” said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Christopher Santee. “Swift happened to be there when we arrived and they asked us to help them take care of some of their medical and dental needs. We were happy to help them out.”
Physicals, audiograms, sick call, lab work and dental work were provided to more than 30 out of the approximately 40 crew members aboard the specialty craft.
From Singapore, the tender moved to Hong Kong to build on a previous milestone. While anchored in Hong Kong Harbor, Frank Cable hosted submarines USS Honolulu (SSN 718) and USS La Jolla (SSN 701). This was only the second time this has been done, with the first successful tending of two subs in Hong Kong completed only six months ago.
The tender’s presence as an anchored “sea base” allows submarines to moor in the harbor, making Hong Kong more accessible for submarine visits.
Beyond these successes, the crew of Frank Cable made it their mission to use each port visit as an opportunity for building stronger relationships with each of the host nations. Over the course of the three stops, 168 Sailors contributed more than 1,100 man-hours participating in seven community service projects that ranged from building and grounds maintenance to playtime with children in shelters.
“I think it projects an image of Frank Cable being family oriented and mindful of the societal issues, particularly for the children,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Willy Pagarigan. “I know it means a lot to have bonding moments like those. I usually do one [project] each underway and the children’s home meant a lot to me.”
According to Frank Cable’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Leo Goff, the successes prove that the ship is ready for the road ahead.
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