Members of the Navy League of the United States, Portland Council, visited submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), after the ship received a 30 million dollar overhaul, June 23.
“Not many Navy ships come to Portland so I think for the Navy League it was helpful for them to come on the ship and see what we do, eat the same food as the crew and watch the crew bring the ship back to life, ” said Capt. Pete Hildreth, Frank Cable’s commanding officer.
For some League members, this was the first time visiting a ship with a crew comprised of both Navy Sailors and civilian service mariners from the Military Sealifit Command.
“It was most interesting to see the combined Navy/civilian crew and how apparently well all worked together,” said Mike Hewlett, Navy League, Portland Council president . “ The size of the crew and extent of the services available were suprisingly extensive.”
Frank Cable Sailors led several tours through the ships spaces including the carpenter shop, medical and dental, boat deck, staterooms, ship’s store, the bridge and finally the galley where the Sailors were able to sit down and interact with the council members.
“It was great just to see people who still had affection for what they did back when they were in the Navy and connect with us so we can understand traditions that we were built upon, ” said Hildreth.
Navy League is an educational organization advocating for and supporting the maritime services which include the United States Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Merchant Marines.
“Navy League really supports the Navy and I believe this visit helped them gain even more of an appreciation for what we do on a day in and day out basis on Frank Cable,” Hildreth said.
Frank Cable is temporarily relieved from conducting maintenance of submarines and surface vessel deployed in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility by submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), and is currently in Portland, Ore. for a regular overhaul and dry-docking (ROH).
Following the dry-docking and maintenance, sea trials will be conducted prior to Frank Cable transitioning back to Guam.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, July 3, 2012