US submarine tender visits Sydney
More than 500 United States Navy officers, sailors and civilian mariners will enjoy the sights of Sydney in the coming days following the arrival of the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land for a port visit.
CAPTION: United States Navy submarine tender, USS Emory S. Land arrives at Fleet Base East, Sydney, as part of its Australia tour. Photo by Warrant Officer Shane Cameron.
The 198-meter-long ship berthed at Fleet Base East, Garden Island, for its third port visit in Australia, following visits to Darwin and Cairns.
This tour forms part of a Western Pacific deployment providing expeditionary maintenance and logistics support to US Navy and allied partner vessels in support of the US 7th Fleet – the US Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet.
USS Emory S. Land is also the temporary home to 17 Royal Australian Navy officers and sailors embedded with their US counterparts as part of a knowledge and training exchange to build skills and experience in nuclear-powered submarine maintenance.
Emory S. Land was greeted in Sydney by United States Chargé d’Affaires Erika Olson, accompanied by Deputy Commander Australian Fleet Commodore Ray Leggatt.
Commodore Leggatt said it was a pleasure to welcome the crew of the USS Emory S. Land to Fleet Base East in Sydney.
“This deployment embodies our longstanding friendship and alliance with the US, and is an exciting step forward to developing the Royal Australia Navy’s workforce in support of Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine capability,” he said.
“It is an incredible opportunity for our Royal Australian Navy officers and sailors to train and learn from our US Navy partners.”
Ms Olson said the visit by Emory S. Land was another example of the US and Australia’s regular joint military activity in which our two forces shared valuable skills, knowledge and experience.
While in Sydney, the crew of the ship will enjoy the city’s most iconic landmarks and renowned hospitality while participating in various community-engagement and cultural activities, including volunteering at a food bank and playing soccer with local teams.
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