The submarine tender USS Emory S. Land arrived at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia, after a series of port visits around Australia.
The USS Emory S. Land has been home to more than 30 Royal Australian Navy officers and sailors working alongside their U.S. Navy counterparts. Aboard the tender, these officers have been training and integrating with U.S. sailors building unique knowledge, skills and experience in how the U.S. conducts nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) maintenance.
This training opportunity has been an important milestone in developing the workforce needed to support Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine capability and another significant step in Australia’s pathway to acquiring conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
The training and development of Royal Australian Navy personnel builds on a program of work already underway for Australian Defence Force personnel and civilians to gain valuable education and experience in U.S. and UK shipyards and facilities.
This is part of preparations for the commencement of Submarine Rotational-Force West where, from as early as 2027, one UK Astute-class submarine and up to four U.S. Virginia-class submarines will have a rotational presence at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
The Emory S. Land will execute several maintenance training activities with the Royal Australian Navy and support the upcoming Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period, which will mark the first time Australians have participated in a U.S. SSN maintenance period in Australia.
The visit of the USS Emory S. Land builds on the success of recent visits from US nuclear-powered submarines, including the USS Annapolis in March 2024 and USS North Carolina in August 2023.