Sailors assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) visited SOS Children's Village in Nha Trang, Vietnam as part of a community relations event, Oct. 3.

Frank Cable, along with the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), are the first U.S. ships to moor in the port facility of Cam Ranh Bay, about an hour south of Nha Trang. Both ships are in Vietnam as part of a Naval Engagement Activity with the Vietnam People's navy as both nations celebrate the 21st anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations.

Just as the mooring is a first, according to Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Fisher, Frank Cable's command chaplain, this was the first ever community relations engagement in this part of Vietnam by the U.S. Navy.

"The positive experience today has certainly laid a foundation for future positive engagements," said Fisher.

As the sailors stepped off of their bus, they were immediately greeted with smiles and applause by a line of children and staff members. Both the Sailors and the children were pleased to meet each other.

"Today's COMREL, by far, has been the highlight of our deployment for the simple fact that more than 100 kids welcomed us with open arms," said Petty Officer First Class Simalo Clesca. "Sitting down with them has taught us that they have dreams and hopes for the future and with continued collaboration between our leaders, these dreams and hopes can become reality."

SOS Children's Village is an independent, non-governmental international development organization which has been working to meet the needs and protect the interests and rights of children since 1949.

Deputy Naval Attache for the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, Cmdr. Jay Dewan, emphasized the impact Frank Cable Sailors may have on the people of Vietnam.

"One of the Embassy's primary objectives is to build trust," said Dewan. "Participation by sailors in activities like the COMREL today helps build a personal connection with the people of Vietnam, which is the foundation for earning and building trust."

Frank Cable sailors spent two hours interacting with the children, playing games and visiting their homes to see what life is like for them in the village.

"There were many deep thanks passed to the sailors by numerous staff members," Fisher said. "Our chance for such interaction was a true privilege."

Vietnam has only allowed one U.S. Navy ship to visit per year. This year, both Frank Cable and the guided-missile destroyer John S. McCain were invited to visit the country to participate in a Naval Engagement Activity.

In its seventh year, NEA Vietnam is designed to foster mutual understanding, build confidence in the maritime domain and strengthen relationships between the U.S. Navy, Vietnam People's navy and the local community.

USS Frank Cable is one of two forward-deployed submarine tenders and is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to conduct maintenance and support of deployed U.S. naval force submarines and surface vessels in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.


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