USS Frank Cable Arrives in Sasebo, Japan

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Henry Liu | SASEBO, Japan (Nov. 29, 2021) Military Sealift Command civil service mariner Eric Nampei, from Guam, wraps a mooring line around the capstan as the Emory S. Land-class submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) moors pier side in Sasebo, Japan, Nov. 29. Frank Cable is on patrol conducting expeditionary maintenance and logistics in support of national security in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Henry X. Liu/Released)  

SASEBO, JAPAN

11.29.2021

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Charlotte Oliver  

USS Frank Cable (AS 40)

The Emory S. Land-class submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) arrived in Sasebo, Japan, Nov. 29.

This is the first visit to Sasebo since 2016 for the Guam-based submarine tender, with her crew of more than 500 Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners.

“Our crew is excited to visit Sasebo,” said Capt. Albert Alarcon, Frank Cable's commanding officer. “Thus far, we've had the opportunity to exercise our expeditionary rearm mission, conduct theater security cooperation events with our JMSDF [Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force] counterparts, and further advance interoperability with JMSDF's Fleet Submarine Force. In Sasebo, we'll have the opportunity to provide expeditionary repair support to our FDNF [forward deployed naval forces] units, while also enjoying liberty in the local community.”

While in Sasebo, Frank Cable’s repair department will be providing expeditionary repair services to FDNF assets.

The Frank Cable recently departed Kure, Japan, where they conducted tender operations with a JMSDF Soryu-class submarine. The exercise proved that in the future, Frank Cable could provide tender services to our JMSDF allies if ever needed.

Sasebo is the third port visit in the country of Japan for Frank Cable during her fall patrol. These visits represent important opportunities that promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region, demonstrate commitment to regional partners, and foster growing relationships. The visits also aim at continuing ongoing friendships and goodwill between the U.S. Navy and the people of Japan.

This was the fourth port visit for Frank Cable during her fall patrol. Frank Cable departed Apra Harbor, Guam, Oct. 18 for their deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

Frank Cable, forward-deployed to the island of Guam, repairs, rearms, and reprovisions submarines and surface vessels in the Indo-Pacific region. Frank Cable is on patrol conducting expeditionary maintenance and logistics in support of national security in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

Under Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 11.29.2021
• Date Posted: 12.03.2021 00:51
• Story ID: 410379
• Location: SASEBO, JP