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USS Frank Cable Returns from Philippines

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080409-11
Release Date: 4/9/2008 5:03:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Trevor Welsh, USS Frank Cable Public Affairs

APRA HARBOR, Guam (NNS) -- Submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) returned to its homeport of Guam April 9 after a regulary scheduled underway period.

During the underway, the crew conducted training, provided support for a submarine and participated in a community relations project.

After leaving Guam, Frank Cable Sailors completed 10 days of at-sea training before pulling into Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines for the first time in the ship's history. The primary mission while in port in Subic Bay was to provide support and voyage repairs to USS Pasadena (SSN 752).

While Pasadena could have traveled to Guam for repairs, the deployment of Frank Cable demonstrated the advantages of the mobile maintenance capabilities of the submarine tender.

"Without Frank Cable meeting the submarine on station, these vital warfare capabilities would have been removed off station for an extended period of time," said Lt. Homer Hensy, Frank Cable's assistant repair officer. "That would have required reassignment from other assets tasked in other fleet responsibilities. Frank Cable's repair and logistical support of USS Pasadena was seamless and restored USS Pasadena to mission readiness in a 48-hour turn around."

The at-sea time on the way to Subic Bay offered the time for Frank Cable to train and prepare for its upcoming mid-Cycle Assessment (MCA). The MCA is a biannual assessment by Afloat Training Group and Submarine Squadron 15 on the ability of the crew to safely and correctly train, operate and maintain Frank Cable. Frank Cable started the MCA on the return trip from Subic Bay.

Sailors also helped local workers build a village in Zambales, Philippines. Sailors shoveled dirt and mixed and poured concrete to help build houses and a school as part of the community relations project.

"It was a really good way to see the Philippines," said Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman Steven Robinette. "All of our hard work was done for a good cause, now families can reap the benefits."

The crew of Frank Cable also had some time to enjoy the Philippines. Like most of Frank Cable's trips to foreign ports, Morale, Welfare and Recreation offered various tours and trips for the crew. The events included a trip to Subic Zoo, jungle survival training, a tour of the Clark Museum, a trip to the Mall of Asia and a chance to swim with whales.

Now that the ship is back in homeport, crew members will continue to support submarines forward deployed in the 7th fleet area of operations.

"It's never a time to relax," said Cmdr. Pete Thomas, Frank Cable's executive officer. "Now that we've proved how hard we can work, our job now is to sustain the standard. We continue to improve each and every day. The only easy day was yesterday."

As Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet's only operational submarine tender, Frank Cable readily deploys to ports throughout the Western Pacific to provide services to both submarines and surface ships in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

For more news from USS Frank Cable, visit www.navy.mil/local/as40/.