Forward-deployed submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) departed Sasebo, its last port call of its 2016 deployment, Nov. 3.

The Frank Cable team, consisting of more than 500 Sailors and civilian mariners, is currently on deployment to provide vital flexibility to the fleet commanders, extending the range and impact of U.S. naval forces.

Frank Cable's Repair Department provided support services to various surface ships in Sasebo and Yokosuka, Japan.

"This is a great example of keeping ships ready to fight," said Cmdr. Garrett L. Burkholder, Frank Cable's repair officer. "With the support of Ship Repair Facility (SRF) divers and the crew of [Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship] USS Pioneer (MCM 9), we were able to return her to the fight in roughly the same amount of time as if SRF had accomplished the work. By utilizing Frank Cable, SRF did not have to pull workers of critical jobs on other ships. This ensured not only Pioneer was ready to fight, but also the other ships SRF is currently working on."

Frank Cable departed its homeport in Guam June 6 for a scheduled deployment, and has made port visits in Puerto Princesa and Cebu, Philippines; Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory; Goa, India; Colombo, Sri Lanka; and Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam; performing several community relations events designed to deepen the crew's understanding of other cultures and build friendships with people living in host nations.

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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