USS Hawaii Returns to Pearl Harbor

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason Swink, Pacific Submarine Force Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Friends and families of the crew of USS Hawaii (SSN 776) gathered at the submarine piers to welcome back the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, returning March 10 to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after completing a deployment to the Western Pacific.

"I couldn't be more proud of the crew of Hawaii," said Cmdr. William A. Patterson, Hawaii's commanding officer, a native of Holliston, Massachusetts. "Every one of them represented the submarine force, the Navy and the nation through seven port visits and did a fantastic job tactically when we were out doing our mission."

Hawaii returned home with a new second in charge, as Lt. Cmdr. Charles Phillips relieved Lt. Cmdr. Mark Robinson as executive officer of Hawaii in a pre-scheduled relief during the deployment.

As this was the first deployment for more than one-third of the crew, Phillips said one of the keys to mission success was how well Sailors supported each other.

"Our junior crew members eagerly met all challenges," said Phillips. "All first-time deplorer's took advantage of every opportunity to start and finish as many qualifications as they could."

During the deployment, 23 Sailors and six officers earned their designation as qualified in submarines and now wear their coveted "dolphin" warfare insignia.

Additionally, 18 Sailors advanced in rank and five Sailors were initiated into the chiefs' mess.

During the seven-month deployment, Hawaii strengthened relations with multiple countries taking part in maritime exercises and conducted port visits to Stirling, Australia, and the cities of Yokosuka and Sasebo in Japan.

Machinist's Mate 1st Class Darren Polston, a native of Tucson, Ariz., expressed his pleasure in helping to coordinate community relations events during the various port visits.

"During my 14 years of submarine service, I have always heard of boats visiting Australia, and now I finally got to go," said Polston. "I loved meeting current submariners and veterans from all over the world, and being able to speak at an Australian High School."

"We were fortunate to be in town for the Royal Australian Navy's 100th year celebration of their submarine force," said Phillips.

Hawaii's crew participated in ceremonies held at the Maritime Museum and hosted distinguished visitors including both senior military and civilian leaders.

Upon her return from deployment, the "War Canoe," as the crew calls her, was escorted to the historic submarine piers of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam by outrigger canoes from the Honolulu Pearl Canoe Club, and greeted by hula dancers performing traditional chants.

"It was a huge honor to support the military community in this way," said Jason Leavitt, an outrigger canoe paddler. "It's not every day you get to paddle under the Ford Island Bridge, stop and pay your respects at the Arizona Memorial, and then meet up with the submarine USS Hawaii to escort her to the pier."

Friends and family crowded the pier with "welcome home" banners as they greeted loved ones following their scheduled deployment.

"It feels really amazing, I have been so nervous lately," said 8-year-old Briana Polston, looking forward to seeing her dad arrive. She said she was looking forward to doing the things they normally do. "We usually just chill at the house and have family time," she said.

"I am looking forward to spending time with my wife and daughter," said Polston, "as well as visiting with other family and catching up with friends."

Commissioned May 5, 2007, Hawaii was the third Virginia-class attack submarine constructed and the first to be named after the Aloha state, recognizing the tremendous support the Navy has enjoyed from the people and state of Hawaii, and in honor of the rich heritage of submarines in the Pacific.

Theodore Roosevelt Receives Assist From Navy Divers

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anthony Hopkins II, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Navy divers assigned to the Mid-Atlantic Maintenance Center (MARMC) rushed to the rescue, March 10, to help clean out clogged sea-water piping aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) assigned to Naval Station Norfolk.

Scheduled to deploy March 9, Theodore Roosevelt's departure was put on temporary hold when the ship's sea water piping became clogged with marine growth sucked into the ship's intakes.

Since their arrival around 3 a.m., the MARMC divers have been working around the clock to help clear the clogged piping and ensure Theodore Roosevelt is able to depart as soon as possible.

"We got the emergency call from our chain of command stating [Theodore Roosevelt] cannot get underway due to suspected clogged intakes," said Chief Navy Diver Mark Sawyer, assigned to MARMC. "We had the first dive team, dive team charlie, arrive on scene at about three a.m. and we currently have two divers in the water working now."

Even with work continuing around the clock, water conditions ensured progress was slow and difficult.

"The hardest part of clearing the intake suctions under the ship was the temperature. It is only about 36 degrees in that water with only six inches of visibility. It made it incredibly difficult to find the intakes much less work on them," said Navy Diver 1st Class Mike Bayer, from Laconia, New Hampshire.

Theodore Roosevelt expects to depart as soon as its sea-water piping is cleared and the tides are right.

Theodore Roosevelt will join the rest of the ships of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group composed of the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), and the guided-missile destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) and USS Farragut (DDG 90) to conduct operations in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

USS Frank Cable, a Mobile Repair Facility for the Fleet, Wraps up Maintenance Availability in Sasebo

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brandon Shelander, USS Frank Cable (AS 40) Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- The submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) finished repair support on multiple U.S. naval assets while in port Sasebo, Japan, March 11.

"Shortly after announcing our plans to visit Sasebo to the port engineers, we received word there was plenty of work to be done," said Capt. Mark Benjamin, commanding officer of Frank Cable. "Within days of announcing our arrival, the job requests started coming our way; more than 100 requests were received."

Frank Cable conducted repairs and maintenance on the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20), the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships USS Pioneer (MCM 9), USS Warrior (MCM 10) and USS Chief (MCM 14) and deployed fly-away maintenance teams for the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarines USS Louisville (SSN 724) and USS Pasadena (SSN 752) to Yokosuka, Japan.

"In less than two weeks, we planned and executed maintenance requests on five homeported ships, totaling 10,000 man-hours with only half of our repair department onboard," said Benjamin. "Our motivated repair department enjoyed being productive and helping out our fellow shipmates on tended units here in Japan."

Frank Cable provides intermediate-level repairs beyond the scope of a ship's organization level of maintenance and routinely performs work abroad that is normally conducted within fully equipped shipyards.

"When commanding officers of any U.S. Navy vessel hear Frank Cable is visiting their port, I want them to think of opportunity. An opportunity to take advantage of Frank Cable's significant repair and support capability to better the material condition of their ships," added Benjamin. "Not only do we help out our shipmates, a continuous stream of work also keeps our shops busy; building proficiencies, competencies, and experience along the way."

Lt. Jay Baker, the underway repair officer aboard Frank Cable, led the ship's repair team of more than 300 Sailors. Baker coordinated with Sasebo's port engineers to identify any ships requiring Frank Cable's services.

"Many commanding officers know of our capability, but few unfortunately have had the opportunity to utilize us in an availability period. If it needs fixed, Frank Cable is ready and able!" said Baker.

In total, Frank Cable Sailors completed 126 jobs amounting to 1,230 man-days of work while in Sasebo. A few of the notable jobs Frank Cable conducted while in port Sasebo were the complete replacement of plate steel for a ship's signal shack - a rare feat and the first time this has been accomplished by Frank Cable, emergent repairs to 440-volt cabling, and weight testing on numerous pieces of weapons and personnel recovery equipment. Frank Cable also lagged more than 3,000 square feet of bulkhead and pipes and augmented the Sasebo dive locker during the conduct of ten diving operations on Germantown.

"Our mission is to demonstrate Frank Cable's capability, breadth of skill, craftsmanship and first-time quality to the farthest corners of U.S. 5th and 7th Fleets! Frank Cable is continually seeking opportunities to show our capabilities and have proven this with countless repairs," said Baker.

Baker also described Frank Cable's support of the mine countermeasures ships as impressive, particularly the 55 jobs performed for Warrior, which is about to undergo an inspection from the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), a group whose purpose is to inspect and assess the material readiness of naval vessels.

"For ships and submarines out there, request us for your next availability. Especially if you have an upcoming INSURV," added Baker. "For Sailors looking to fully exploit your rating skills as mechanics, electricians, machinists, engineman, hull and electronic technicians, boatswains and Navy divers, look no farther than the fighting Frank Cable, you'll not go to a more rewarding command."

Frank Cable conducts maintenance and support on submarines and surface vessels deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility and is currently on a scheduled underway period.

For more information about Frank Cable, visit the ship's website at www.cable.navy.mil or follow on Facebook by typing "Frank Cable" in the search block.