KURE, Japan - The Emory S. Land-class submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) departed Kure, Nov. 27.

It was the first visit to Kure for the Guam-based submarine tender, with its crew of more than 1,000 Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners.

While in Kure, Frank Cable conducted tender operations with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Soryu-class submarine JS Sekiryu (SS 508). The exercise included testing various connections to ensure Frank Cable could provide tender service to our JMSDF allies, if ever needed.

"This was a historic port visit for our crew, as it marked Frank Cable's first visit to Kure, Japan," said Capt. Albert Alarcon, Frank Cable's commanding officer. "More significantly, this was the first time a U.S. Navy submarine tender provided services to a JMSDF Soryu-class submarine moored alongside, which is a great step forward in advancing interoperability with the JMSDF Fleet Submarine Force."

During the four-day port visit Frank Cable and Sekiryu organized sailor exchanges to tour each vessel. Sailors exchanged command coins and covers with one another and made new friendships, strengthening ties with JMSDF partners.

“It was a great experience building friendships with our Japanese partners,” said Frank Cable’s Command Master Chief Norman Clarke. “Seeing the pride they take in their submarine fleet. My favorite [part of touring the submarine] was seeing the differences in how their submarines are powered [diesel electric] and how ours are nuclear-powered.”

This was the third port visit for Frank Cable during her fall patrol. Frank Cable departed Apra Harbor, Guam on Oct. 18 for their deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

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.