U.S. Submarine Tender Boosts AUKUS Pillar 1 Milestone

A mix of U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy personnel will engage in a Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period (STMP) in the coming weeks. Australian technicians will undertake maintenance tasks on a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine (SSN) during its port visit.

This STMP is a crucial phase toward enabling Australia to operate, maintain, and support a fleet of conventionally armed SSNs. This forms a part of the AUKUS security partnership involving Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Captain Brent Spillner, commanding officer of the Emory S. Land, emphasized the productive exchange of knowledge with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Fleet Support Unit (FSU) since January. “Within weeks, they were working shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. technicians on real submarine repairs,” he explained. U.S. Sailors have been embedded in the FSU West workshops at HMAS Stirling for the last six weeks. “We’re learning as much from them as they are from us,” he added.

Over 30 Australian sailors are set to perform significant maintenance tasks under U.S. supervision. These tasks include replacing a mast in the submarine’s sail, a crucial hydraulic valve, and simulating the removal of a large pump weighing over 3,500 pounds.

“Both of our navies are benefiting tremendously from the interoperability we’ve been developing during this deployment,” Spillner noted. This STMP will be the inaugural instance of Australian workers performing maintenance on a U.S. SSN in Australian waters. “This is an important milestone as we work together to establish Submarine Rotational Force – West,” he added. This initiative will see U.S. and UK submarines regularly transiting through HMAS Stirling, with maintenance and logistics supported by Australian personnel.

Commander Derek Fletcher, repair officer aboard Emory S. Land, praised the integration of RAN sailors with his repair department. “The ability to work side-by-side in Guam on U.S. SSNs and then continue that work on RAN vessels and even a Royal Navy vessel while in Australia has truly demonstrated our interoperability,” he stated.

Since the deployment began, 176 U.S. Sailors have participated in 18 community relations events across Darwin, Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, contributing 731 hours to these communities. Additional events are planned at HMAS Stirling.

Lieutenant Commander Mark Miller, Emory S. Land’s chaplain, remarked on the unique nature of the deployment. “The warmth and hospitality which the U.S. Sailors have received is truly heartfelt. We are grateful for the strong bond between our two nations,” he said, looking forward to their time in Western Australia.

Emory S. Land is supporting the U.S. 7th Fleet, the largest forward-deployed numbered fleet of the U.S. Navy, operating in the Indo-Pacific region to maintain a free and open maritime environment. Stationed in Guam, Emory S. Land and USS Frank Cable (AS 40) provide maintenance, hotel services, and logistical support to submarines and surface ships. They form part of the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed submarine force, capable of meeting global operational requirements.