Sailors and civilian mariners assigned to submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) celebrated Independence Day with a steel beach picnic at sea, July 4.

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

The crew was treated to a variety of events coordinated by the ship's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) division which included basketball, corn hole, water balloon tossing, a pie eating contest and playing the "Zero Dark Thirty" film on the ship's flight deck.

"It was my first time doing an eating contest of any kind and likely my last," said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Clifton Rains, the ship's deputy disbursing officer. "I haven't had a stomach ache that bad in a long time, but it was a lot of fun, and well worth it."

Frank Cable's MWR team, with the help of the Junior Enlisted Association and the First Class Petty Officer Association, organized the steel beach picnic to allow the crew to come together, de-stress and reflect on the importance of the Navy's mission.

"It allows Sailors to relax, unwind and remember why we are serving our country," said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Cecelia Vaughn, Frank Cable's MWR vice president. "The event also gives us the time to remember the ones who gave their lives before us, boosting morale and instilling pride in what we all do; serve in the United States Navy."

Frank Cable's leadership incorporates MWR events into the ship's deployment schedule to positively influence morale and motivation towards the ship's mission.

"Being underway, I cannot think of a better place to reflect and celebrate on 240 years of our rich history," said Capt. Drew St. John, Frank Cable's commanding officer.

St. John added, "Taking the time today to have a steel beach picnic, play some games and do similar activities Americans are doing back home not only connects and binds us to our fellow citizens, but it ties us to the Sailors who stood the watch before us, creating our rich naval heritage and making America what it is today."

The activities culminated with the crew sitting around the flight deck to view the movie, illuminated by the bright stars above.

MWR "Fun Chief," Chief Hull Maintenance Technician Joshua Hayes, said the day was a success as he reflected on one Sailor who said, the steel beach picnic "felt like a family affair."

"She was so happy she could cry," said Hayes. "It made her feel like she was home and she hadn't felt that way in a long time. As long as MWR can make one Sailor feel at home it affirms the importance of why we're here."

Frank Cable, one of two forward-deployed submarine tenders homeported in Guam, 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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