Frank Cable Holds Change of Command

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110624-01
6/24/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gabrielle Blake, USS Frank Cable Public Affairs

POLARIS POINT, Guam (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) welcomed aboard a new captain during a change of command ceremony in Polaris Point, Guam, June 24.

At the ceremony, Capt. Pete Hildreth relieved Capt. Tom Stanley as the commanding officer of the ship.

"It is a very bittersweet feeling," said Stanley. "I am sad to leave Guam, my friends and the awesome crew of USS Frank Cable. But at the same time, I am very proud of everything that the Sailors onboard the ship have accomplished in the last two years."

Stanley congratulated the crew on a job well done. He will report to Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington D.C.

Under Stanley's command, Frank Cable Navy Sailors successfully integrated Military Sealift Command (MSC) Civilian Mariners (CIVMAR) into the crew.

"I have been impressed with the entire crew's professionalism and dedication to the mission," said Hildreth. "The unique teaming arrangement allows for the efficient operation of the ship while preserving Frank Cable's unique mobile repair capabilities. It also supports both operational availability of submarines in the Western Pacific and the ability to conduct ship repair throughout this part of the world."

Hildreth is a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He received a Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering in 1987. He most recently served as the Director of Plans on the staff of Commander, Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.

Rear Adm. James Caldwell Jr., Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, presided over the ceremony and commended Stanley's efforts and accomplishments during his time onboard Frank Cable.

"Capt. Stanley excelled in ensuring the highest level of operational support to our submarine force over the course of his tenure," said Caldwell, "but he also ensured USS Frank Cable was operational in its own right."

During Stanley's time aboard, Frank Cable delivered more than 800,000 hours of maintenance, completed nearly 10,000 jobs, requisitioned approximately 17,000 repair parts and loaded more than 300 weapons on fast-attack and guided-missile submarines. Frank Cable provided services to the first Virginia-class submarine to deploy to the Western Pacific.

Frank Cable flew 48 teams to ports in 11 countries throughout the 7th and 5th Fleet and constantly rotated Sailors in and out of Diego Garcia to support the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39).

After spending a year in Guam Shipyard, Frank Cable conducted two successful underway tours.

Caldwell said, "Deployments to Malaysia and Hong Kong, opening these ports to visits by submarines, are one example of the operational focus Capt. Stanley infused in USS Frank Cable's team."

"The ship has a well earned reputation for conducting quality work on both submarines and surface ships," said Hildreth. "The professional execution of all aspects of the ship's mission is the foundation this reputation rests on, and we will continue to look for ways to improve our ability to professionally, effectively, and efficiently perform our mission."

Frank Cable conducts maintenance and support of submarines and surface vessels deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.