Sailors Tutor Saturday Scholars in Guam

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jared Aldape, USS Emory S. Land Public Affairs

PITI, Guam (NNS) -- Sailors aboard submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) and USS Frank Cable (AS 40) volunteered as tutors at Jose Rios Middle School in Piti, Guam, May 19.

The project is part of a tutoring program entitled "Saturday Scholars."

The effort gives Sailors a chance to help teachers educate struggling students who require more one-on-one coaching.

Land's command chaplain, Lt. Aaron Roberton, organizes and volunteers for the program, which has been an ongoing partnership with Jose Rios Middle School since 1989.

"The Land is here on a mission to fill in for the Cable, and we're continuing on a project that they have been doing for awhile" said Roberton. "The response has been amazing from both Cable and the Land, we've had more than enough tutors. Sailors have been showing up on a Saturday morning for five weeks, it's been great".

Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Robert Sorogane, who volunteers with Saturday Scholars, said he does it to give something back to the future of Guam.

"Knowing that you have an impact on someone's life is a privilege in itself," said Sorogane. "Sometimes you want to give hope, and leaving your rack, coming to school early on a Saturday morning to lend hope to little kids, to teach them the values of education, it shows a difference in the character that you want to build".

Sorogane said that reaching out to kids through education is another reason for him to volunteer with Saturday Scholars.

"I feel that I've made a difference and have shown these kids that there are people from all over the world that care about them and their education."

Gloria Estampator, a 7th grade science teacher at Jose Rios Middle School, said the aim of the program is to identify students who are struggling halfway through each semester, then work with the students to improve upon their weak areas.

"Over the years, it's become clear what an impact Sailor's mentorship has for the kids," said Estampator. "We take note of the students, and when the fourth quarter comes out, we notice a great percentage of our students are passing. It greatly helps the kids, especially the ones that are below grade level."

Roberton agrees with Estampator, and stresses the importance of the program.

"Some students may not see the importance of a strong educational background for their future now," said Roberton. "But by us being here and showing them that we value their education, that we are committed to helping them learn and grow, and teaching them to put in the extra time to become excellent students, I feel that we're really making a difference and building their future".

Land is currently on an extended deployment to Guam serving as 7th Fleet's lead afloat maintenance activity from the ship's permanent homeport of Diego Garcia.

Emory S. Land Sailors Conduct Dive with Royal Malaysian Navy

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Samuel Souvannason, USS Emory S. Land Public Affairs

SEPANGAR, Malaysia (NNS) -- Navy divers assigned to submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) conducted a coordinated scuba diving evolution with Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) divers April 8.

"We were honored by our Malaysian counterpart's invitation to conduct joint diving operations," said Chief Navy Diver Jose Castilla. "This was an opportunity to enhance the enlisted side of our two militaries' growing relationship."

Before the dive, the RMN sailors toured Emory S. Land and exchanged t-shirts.

"It's sort of a tradition," said Navy Diver 2nd Class Jody Kappen. "When divers get together with other divers we exchange t-shirts. It allows us to showcase the different places we dive and the different divers we meet, and this is certainly one I'll want to show off."

Royal Malaysian Navy diver Seruji and Navy Diver 1st Class Peter Kozminsky took to the water to conduct a scuba diving evolution involving the inspection of the ship's screw as part of a pre-underway check.

"The Malaysian divers' familiarity with these waters was critical to the success of the evolution," said Castilla.

Land is in Malaysia as part of a theater security cooperation and good will mission in the region. Land is currently on an extended deployment to Guam serving as 7th Fleet's lead afloat fleet maintenance activity. USS Emory S. Land is homeported in Diego Garcia.

To learn more about USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) visit www.as39.navy.mil or www.facebook.com/emorysland.

Land and Louisville Sailors Give Hope to Malaysian Children

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Chris Williamson, Emory S. Land Public Affairs

KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia (NNS) -- Sailors from submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) and Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724) participated in a community service project at Likas Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, April 4.

Likas Hospital is a facility for children under the age of 15 who require treatment and special needs. According to head nurse Matron Maureen Yunus, one of those needs includes blood transfusions for children who have a hemoglobin deficiency.

"When we told the children that U.S. Navy Sailors were coming to see them, they all became very excited," said Yunus. "I am grateful to all who participated and helped put smiles on all of the kids' faces."

Land's Religious Ministries Department worked together with the children's hospital to put the event together, and had no problems recruiting volunteers. Rather than spending their liberty time out in town, 14 Sailors from Land and Louisville volunteered to visit the children.

"This is Louisville's first port call this deployment," said chief sonar technician submarine (submarine service) Winfred Cameron. "There is no where else I'd rather be than here, seeing children's smiling faces."

The volunteers divided into two groups of 10. The first group went to the second floor of the building where children and parents awaited monthly blood transfusions. Sailors quickly got involved with the kids by playing games and coloring with them.

"The children enjoyed playing all of our silly games, singing kid songs and hanging out with the Sailors," said Lt. Aaron Roberton, Land's command chaplain. "This is a very challenging time for the kids and their parents, so I'm glad that we got to provide a distraction from all the medical treatment."

The second group of volunteers headed to the third floor to play with another group of children. Sailors had no troubles with the language barrier thanks to the universal quality of kindness and friendship.

"This was a very successful COMSERV," said Roberton. "Several of the children's parents came up to me and told me that seeing the kids play with the Sailors was a real special time. Everyone at the hospital was appreciative of our support and we hope to come back soon."

Land is in Malaysia conducting a coordinated tended mooring with Los Angele-class fast attack class submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724) as part of a theater security cooperation and good will mission in the region. Land is currently on an extended deployment to Guam serving as U.S. 7th Fleet's lead afloat fleet maintenance activity from the ship's permanent home port of Diego Garcia.

USS Frank Cable Arrives in Portland

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Chris Salisbury, USS Frank Cable Public Affairs

PORTLAND, Ore. (NNS) -- Submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) arrived in Portland, Ore., for a regular overhaul and dry-docking Feb. 10.

"I'm excited to be back in the States," said Personnel Specialist Seaman Apprentice Deven Gonzales, a Sailor assigned to Frank Cable. "I'm hoping to do a lot of cycling and sightseeing in Oregon."

During their four week passage from Guam to Oregon, Sailors on board the Frank Cable enjoyed a week in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; worked on qualifications; and participated in many fire, flooding, man-overboard and abandoned ship drills.

"The Sailors' primary mission in Portland is to support the shipyard to ensure a smooth yard period, providing force protection for the ship," said Master Chief Hull Technician Kenneth Wagner, repair master chief on board Frank Cable. "Sailors, on their off time, will have opportunities to take in the sites here in the Northwest region."

Wagner said the purpose of the ROH is to conduct engineering repair, hull preservation and provide material upgrades to the ship.

"The dry-docking availability should result in a significant improvement in the material condition of the ship," said Capt. Pete Hildreth, Frank Cable's commanding officer. "As a result of this maintenance period, Frank Cable should not need to go back in dock for scheduled maintenance for eight years. This will allow Frank Cable to focus on its primary mission of conducting submarine repair in the Western Pacific."

Submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) is temporarily relieving Frank Cable from conducting maintenance of submarines and surface vessels deployed in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

Following the dry-docking and maintenance, sea trials will be conducted prior to Frank Cable transitioning back to Guam.

Guam Corpsmen Hold Bone Marrow Registry Drive

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gabrielle Blake, USS Frank Cable Public Affairs

POLARIS POINT, Guam (NNS) -- Hospital corpsmen assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) and U.S. Naval Hospital Guam, held a Bone Marrow Registry Drive at Polaris Point Jan. 3-4.

The purpose of the drive was to disseminate information about the new process of collecting bone marrow.

"We are trying to get rid of that stigma of pain," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Rebecca Jones, assigned to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam. "Most people know about the old, painful method with the giant needle. This new process is not as bad. It is just like donating a unit of blood."

The drive was held across the Department of Defense (DoD) allowing Sailors and anyone who is DoD sponsored and between the age of 18 and 60 to be placed into the registry. Donors filled out personal information and gave cheek swab samples.

Jones said everyone who is able to enter the registry, should.

"You could be in the registry and never get called up or you can get called up and once they do a little bit more testing, you may not be a match," said Jones.

"Finding a match is hard," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Edgardo Victorino, assigned to Frank Cable, "So the more people who register, the more selections there are for them to pick out someone compatible."

During the drive, the corpsmen explained the benefits of being a bone marrow donor.

"You never know who will need it some day, said Victorino. "It could be your wife or child. It's an opportunity to save someone's life."

"The people you are donating to are dying so you are giving somebody a second chance at life that they would never have," said Jones. "If you really think about it, it is two weeks of a little bit of discomfort for you and a whole lifetime for that person you are donating to."

Frank Cable is being temporarily relieved by USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) as the primary afloat maintenance activity in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

USS Emory S. Land Arrives in Guam

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Gabrielle Blake, USS Frank Cable (AS 40)

APRA HARBOR, Guam (NNS) -- Submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) arrived at Naval Base Guam to temporarily assume the responsibilities as Guam's main submarine repair facility, Nov. 21.

Emory S. Land, originally homeported in Diego Garcia, will replace the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), during Frank Cable's scheduled Regular Overhaul and Dry Docking in Portland, Ore.

"It's great to see our sister ship arrive in Guam," said Cmdr. Timothy Sparks, Frank Cable's executive officer. "The Emory S. Land arrival marks a major milestone in Western Pacific (WESTPAC) maintenance."

As part of expeditionary manning, Frank Cable rotates approximately 80 crewmembers on and off Emory S. Land, to complement their crew of Sailors and civilian service mariners (CIVMARs).

Sparks said this marks the first tender turnover since Frank Cable arrived in Guam to relieve the now decommissioned submarine tender USS Holland (AS 32) as the WESTPAC tender in May 1996.

Emory S. Land left Diego Garcia in October and made port visits to Malaysia and the Republic of the Philippines prior to her arrival in Guam. During her stay in Guam, the Land crew, along with stay behind personnel assigned to Frank Cable, will continue to service submarines and carry out the mission of the tenders.

Yeoman 3rd Class Kelly Mossi, assigned to Emory S. Land said he and his fellow shipmates know integrating a larger amount of crewmembers from both ships may be challenging, but they are excited to be in Guam and to work with more Frank Cable Sailors.

While Frank Cable is in dry dock, there are plans to replace switchboards and the ship's electrical power control panel, replace low pressure turbine rotors and steel, and conduct machinery and habitability overhauls and repairs.

Sparks said that as these repairs and upgrades are being carried out, there will be a small contingent of Frank Cable Sailors and CIVMARs stationed aboard the ship for duty section support, and for the various security watches.

"One hundred fourty-five Frank Cable personnel will depart Guam for approximately seven months to oversee the availability requirements," said Sparks. "The majority of the Frank Cable crew will be remaining in Guam and assigned temporary duty to the Emory S. Land."

Emory S. Land will be the WESTPAC tender until Frank Cable returns mid 2012. Emory S. Land conducts maintenance and support of submarines and surface vessels deployed in the U.S. 5th and U.S. 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.