By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Yokohama, Japan - 'The Emory S. Land-class submarine tender USS Frank Cable arrived in Yokohama, Nov. 15.
The Guam-based submarine tender, carrying more than 1,000 sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners, made its first port visit to Japan after more than five years and its first visit to the port of Yokohama in the ship’s 42-year history.
"This is a very special day as our crew brings Frank Cable to Yokohama, Japan for the first time in her operational history," said Capt. Albert Alarcon, Frank Cable's commanding officer. "We are grateful for the opportunity to visit Japan, experience its rich culture and history, and strengthen our relationship with our Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force counterparts."
Frank Cable’s visit to the country of Japan represents an important opportunity to promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region, demonstrate commitment to regional partners, and foster growing relationships. The visit is also aimed at continuing ongoing friendships and goodwill between the U.S. Navy and the people of Japan.
Frank Cable will host members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and other delegates while in port.
For many Frank Cable Sailors, this is their first visit to Japan.
“This is not only my first deployment but first ship too,” said Retail Specialist 2nd Class Roland Daigle, a native of Thibodaux, Louisiana. “I’m looking forward to experiencing the culture and meeting the people of Japan. I also have friends stationed here that are going to show me around too.”
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Frank Cable departed Apra Harbor, Guam, Oct. 18 for their deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Yokohama is the second port visit for Frank Cable.
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.
(Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet)
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