AUKUS: Historic milestone as Australian sailors repair US submarine for first time since World War II

[Pelican Press 0]

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AUKUS: Historic milestone as *********** sailors repair US submarine for first time since World War II

*********** sailors will spend the next fortnight repairing a US nuclear-powered submarine at HMAS Stirling in the first major demonstration of tangible progress under the historic AUKUS agreement.

Three dozen *********** Navy personnel have spent eight months learning the ropes of nuclear submarine sustainment while embedded in an ********* naval base in Guam.

The cohort – the first of hundreds that will receive similar training – arrived back in Rockingham this week to help lead maintenance on USS Hawaii, a Virginia class submarine that steamed into HMAS Stirling on Thursday.

It is the sixth conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine to visit WA in the past two years – but the first that will undergo significant repairs while docked.

The milestone is a throwback to World War II when hundreds of allied submarines were supported out of Fremantle.

Facilitating the works is submarine tender USS Emory S. Land, essentially a giant floating workshop that has spent the past two months visiting ports around Australia where its highly skilled crew has helped maintain a range of surface vessels.

*********** Submarine Agency (ASA) boss Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead described the USS Hawaii’s repairs – which will include the replacement of a mast and hydraulic valve – as an “unprecedented event”.

Camera IconNavy submarine tender USS Emory S Land at HMAS Stirling on Garden Island, south of Perth. An ARAN sailor working on a lathe. Credit: Trevor Collens

“This is the first time that a US Virginia class submarine has conducted maintenance outside US territory, and the first time conducted by non-US citizens,” he said.

The USS Hawaii visit also marked the first time an *********** sailor has helped pilot a nuclear-powered submarine into port, with Lieutenant Will (last name withheld) joining Commander Daniel Jones as the vessel arrived at HMAS Stirling.

“It was a real career moment,” said the 26-year-old Queenslander, who is among the growing crop of Australians already crewing US submarines as the nation prepares to receive the first of three Virginia class boats from 2032.

The USS Emory S. Land is carrying 17 Australians among its 500-strong crew – half the cohort that jetted out to Guam in January – with that group primarily comprised of technicians ordinarily posted to the Royal *********** Navy’s Fleet Support Unit.

The captain of the USS Emory S. Land – Commander Brent Spillner – said he had been blown away by the Australians on his ship.

“They’ve hit the ground running and been a complete asset to us,” Cmdr. Spillner said.

The upcoming maintenance ******* presents an opportunity for those sailors to work alongside their US counterparts in an *********** setting, identifying any improvements that might be required at HMAS Stirling.

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconPool photo aboard visiting U.S. Navy submarine tender USS Emory S Land at HMAS Stirling on Garden Island, south of Perth. Credit: Trevor Collens

Those range from the very basic – like tools designed for imperial rather than metric measurements – through to the highly advanced.

And the learning has flowed both ways, with Cmdr. Spillner revealing the USS Emory S. Land had recently installed a 3D metal printer after being impressed by the *********** capability in that field.

The USS Emory S. Land is one of two submarine tenders operated by the US navy and used to repair, replenish and re-arm submarines both in base and out to sea.

Capable of carrying as many as 900 crew, the vessel boasts its own US post office – which receives

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deliveries whenever the ship is at port – as well as a barber shop, dental clinic, convenience store and a mess designed to resemble a 1950s diner.

It also contains a simulated ********* range that is used to help sailors brush up on their small arms skills while their vessels are alongside the tender for repairs.

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconPool photo of visiting U.S. Navy submarine tender USS Emory S Land at HMAS Stirling on Garden Island, south of Perth. Credit: Trevor Collens

Also observing the USS Hawaii maintenance is a delegation from the ***, including Director General for AUKUS Damian Parmenter – the man tasked with overseeing the design and construction of the brand-new nuclear submarines that will form the backbone of the British and *********** navies from the late 2030s.

AUKUS critics have questioned whether the ***’s already stretched shipyards are up to the task of delivering those submarines on time.

“I think there have been times in the past in the past when, because of other campaigns going on in the world, we’ve taken our eye off the ball,” Mr Parmenter admitted.

“We are investing billions in our *** nuclear enterprise… we’re going to be on time because we need to be on time given where the world is going.”

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