PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines -- The submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) completed ordnance handling training with USS Asheville (SSN 758) while the submarine was moored alongside, Nov. 11.

Land’s crew demonstrated their ability to transfer ordnance and provide hotel services to a submarine while Land was anchored.
“It’s to exercise the capability that the tender can moor a submarine outboard at anchor and still be able to conduct ordnance movements,” said Lt. j.g. Joel Walter, Land’s weapons handling officer. “It allows us to exercise our capabilities, not just in port, but out to sea as well.”

This training evolution showed the unique and critical support Land provides to submarines, further demonstrating that submarine tenders are essential in helping to keep submarines forward deployed around the globe.

“It’s important that we continually hone our skills to ensure we can support the critical mission of the fleet,” said Capt. Michael Luckett, Land’s commanding officer. “Both crews did an excellent job of completing this training flawlessly. It’s important for us to be able to provide everything our submarine force needs, whether at home or deployed, and be there to support them no matter the task at hand.”

Land arrived in Puerto Princesa Nov. 7 and is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to support theater security cooperation efforts in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. routinely demonstrates its commitment to its partners through forward presence and operations. Land’s deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations reflects the United States’ commitment to support theater security cooperation efforts in the Indo-Pacific region.

Guam is home to the U.S. Navy's only submarine tenders, USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) and USS Frank Cable (AS 40), as well as four Los Angeles-class attack submarines. The submarine tenders provide maintenance, hotel services and logistical support to submarines and surface ships in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation. The submarines and tenders are maintained as part of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed submarine force and are capable of meeting global operational requirements.