ESL Chiefs Volunteer in Darwin

Photo By Ensign Jordyn Diomede | DARWIN, Australia (August 29, 2019) - Sailors assigned to the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) pose for a photo outside of Vinnies Depot during a community relations event, Aug. 29. Land is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to support theater security cooperation efforts in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordyn Diomede/Released).  

DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA

08.30.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jordyn Diomede 

USS Emory S. Land (AS-39)

Chiefs and chief selects assigned to the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), volunteered at Vinnies Depot in Darwin during a community relations event, Aug. 29.
Vinnies is the local nickname for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which is an international charity that offers “a hand up” to people in need. The society in Australia has more than 60,000 members and volunteers who work to provide assistance to people struggling with homelessness, unemployment, and many other adversities Australians face.
“The people of Darwin have been very welcoming to the Sailors on the Emory S. Land,” said Capt. Michael D. Luckett, commanding officer of ESL. “It’s a great opportunity for us to give back a little bit of that hospitality and friendship, contribute to the community and contribute to the wonderful work that the St. Vincent de Paul Society does here to help those in need.”
ESL chiefs and chief selects gave back to the organization by clearing debris, washing vehicles, and assisting in any way they could.
“It allows us an opportunity to show other nations that we do the same things,” said Chief Hull Maintenance Technician (select) Steven Robinette. “We have the opportunity to come out here and help the locals, and also build that camaraderie.”
Community relations events are important to building and maintaining relationships across the globe.
“I think it’s fantastic to have these relationships between America and Australia,” said Fran Avon, CEO of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. “Just to have the opportunity for you to see what we do here in Australia, see the type of people that we are helping, and to be able to really make a difference while you’re here. That’s so much appreciated.”
Land is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to support theater security cooperation efforts in the Indo-Pacific region.
Guam is home to the U.S. Navy's only submarine tenders, USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) and USS Frank Cable (AS 40), as well as four Los Angeles-class attack submarines. The submarine tenders provide maintenance, hotel services and logistical support to submarines and surface ships in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation. The submarines and tenders are maintained as part of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed submarine force and are capable of meeting global operational requirements.
For more information about USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), visit us at http://www.csp.navy.mil/emorysland/ or like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/EmorySLand, or on Twitter @EmorySLand.
For more news from USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), visit http://www.navy.mil/local/as39/.
Are you interested in taking orders to Guam? Want to learn more about the duty station and life on our island? For more information, check out the ‘Go Guam!’ website at http://www.csp.navy.mil/go-guam/ and download the ‘1st Fifteen’ checklist.

• Date Taken: 08.30.2019
• Date Posted: 08.30.2019 02:44
• Story ID: 337957
• Location: DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AU