PACIFIC OCEAN -- More than 500 Sailors and civilian mariners aboard submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) departed from Naval Base Guam on its first deployment in more than 14 years in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, June 6. 

Commanded by Capt. Drew St. John, Frank Cable's crew of Navy and Military Sealift Command mariners will provide vital flexibility to fleet commanders, extending the range and impact of U.S. naval forces.

"This is it," said St. John. "All the long, hard hours to get this ship ready to deploy, all lead to this moment. I couldn't be any prouder of this; one ship, one team going out and demonstrating our flexibility as a repair ship. We are ready."

For many in the crew, it is their first deployment in the Navy. 

"I'm excited because I want to experience new cultures," said Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman Dexter Porter, a native of Mesick, Michigan, assigned to Frank Cable's carpenter shop. 

Porter recently reported to Frank Cable from "A" school.

"I think this deployment will cause us to have a better understanding and appreciation for each other, the work we do, and I'm looking forward to sharing our capabilities and improving my overall qualifications as a Sailor," said Porter.

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