APRA HARBOR, Guam -- The submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) departed Apra Harbor, Guam, as part of a scheduled patrol in the Indo-Pacific region, Oct. 18.

Frank Cable, U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command (MSC) civilian mariners, will conduct expeditionary maintenance and logistics in support of national security in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

"Our crew has done an exceptional job to prepare for deployment," said Capt. Albert Alarcon, Frank Cable's commanding officer. "We are ready to execute our expeditionary mission, which will continue to advance our Navy's warfighting capabilities across the Pacific Theater."

This deployment will be the ship’s first since turning over lead maintenance activity responsibilities with the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) in September.

“Our combined Navy and civilian mariner team has worked hard to prepare for this expeditionary mission,” said Capt. Patrick Peck, MSC Ship’s Master. “This gives us a chance to show our capabilities throughout the region and demonstrate that ‘We Are Ready, and We Deliver’!”

For many Frank Cable Sailors, this is their first deployment in the Navy. Some of those Sailors arrived just in time to finish lead tender turnover and make Frank Cable’s first patrol as the expeditionary unit.

“It’s a great experience to be part of the Frank Cable crew,” said Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman Steven Berlinger. “I feel fortunate to have gotten here before the ship left homeport for our first patrol.”

Prior to deploying, the ship successfully completed sea trials, which included a variety of simulated and live events ensuring the ship is capable of a full spectrum of expeditionary operations.

Frank Cable, forward-deployed to the island of Guam, repairs, rearms, and reprovisions submarines and surface vessels in the Indo-Pacific region.