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USS Frank Cable Completes Mid-Cycle Assessment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080414-09
Release Date: 4/14/2008 2:52:00 PM

From USS Frank Cable Public Affairs

USS FRANK CABLE, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Frank Cable (AS 40) successfully completed its Mid-Cycle Assessment by Afloat Training Group (ATG) and Submarine Squadron 15 (SUBRON 15), April 14, proving the crew can safely and correctly train, operate and maintain Frank Cable.

ATG and SUBRON 15 graded the ship on the areas of damage control, navigation, engineering, seamanship, force protection and the material condition.

"We are here to assess the ship's ability and the way they are able to combat casualties," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Shawn Thomas, Training Liaison Officer of ATG Westpac. "We also validate the ship's ability to train themselves."

Frank Cable completed its last assessment in November of 2007. Since then the ship's frequency of training and its quality has increased.

"Leading up to the assessment training became more frequent and also more intense," said Damage Control Training Team (DCTT) member Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Brad Walker. "The crew became more responsive and energetic during the drills. The crew's damage control level of knowledge has drastically improved. We wanted to be prepared for the assessment and I think we were."

Frank Cable Executive Officer Cmdr. Pete Thomas feels the crew took advantage of training time at sea.

"I think the three and half weeks out at sea solidified our training team," said Thomas. "It was apparent our crew was ready for this assessment. Their enthusiasm was unmatched. We took the opportunity to show how much pride we have in our ship and how much pride we have about our jobs."

ATG and SUBRON 15 conduct this assessment biannually in support of Frank Cable's 18-month certification requirement.

"It's important that we continue to improve," said Thomas. "We need to take onboard the feedback provided from this assessment and strive to get better in those areas. We need to be dedicated to improvement."

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 Seventh Fleet area of responsibility.

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