USS Emory S. Land (AS-39)

USS Emory S. Land (AS-39)

USS Emory S. Land (AS-39): A Comprehensive Overview

The USS Emory S. Land (AS-39) is a submarine tender in the United States Navy, part of a distinguished lineage of ships designed to provide vital maintenance, logistical support, and repairs to the U.S. Navy’s submarines. Named in honor of Rear Admiral Emory S. Land, a pioneer in submarine warfare and shipbuilding, the USS Emory S. Land plays a critical role in supporting the Navy’s submarines during their deployments, ensuring operational readiness in some of the most challenging and remote areas of the world.

Design and Capabilities

The USS Emory S. Land is part of the Ashland-class of submarine tenders, a class of ships specifically designed to support the unique requirements of the Navy’s nuclear-powered and conventional submarines. These vessels are a critical part of maintaining the readiness of the fleet, providing everything from routine maintenance to emergency repairs.

Specifications:

• Class and Type: Ashland-class submarine tender
• Displacement: 18,400 tons (full load)
• Length: 609 feet (185 meters)
• Beam: 85 feet (25.9 meters)
• Draft: 29 feet (8.8 meters)
• Speed: 20 knots (37 km/h or 23 mph)
• Crew: Around 500-600 personnel, including specialized technicians, supply personnel, and officers

The USS Emory S. Land is equipped with several specialized features to support the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet. These include:

1. Dry Docks and Repair Facilities: The ship is equipped with onboard dry-docking equipment capable of supporting smaller submarines for repairs and maintenance.
2. Crane Systems: Large, heavy-duty cranes allow for the transfer of supplies, equipment, and even large components for submarine repairs.
3. Machine Shops: The ship has extensive facilities for conducting repairs on everything from engine components to complex submarine systems.
4. Storage Capacity: The USS Emory S. Land has vast storage capabilities, allowing it to carry essential supplies such as parts, food, fuel, and ammunition, ensuring that submarines can remain operational for extended periods without needing to return to port.

The ship is also fully capable of supporting the crew of submarines during extended deployments, offering them necessary supplies, medical support, and recreational amenities.

Mission and Operational Role

The primary mission of the USS Emory S. Land is to serve as a submarine tender—providing maintenance and logistical support to submarines at sea. Unlike surface combatants or aircraft carriers, which are designed for direct combat, the USS Emory S. Land plays an equally vital but often overlooked role: ensuring that submarines can stay in operation for long periods without needing to return to shore.

Some of the key roles and missions of the USS Emory S. Land include:

1. Maintenance and Repair: The ship provides routine maintenance on submarines, including repairs to sonar systems, propulsion systems, and nuclear reactors. It can perform many of the tasks required to keep submarines operational while deployed at sea.
2. Replenishment: The USS Emory S. Land carries essential supplies to sustain submarines on long deployments, including food, water, medical supplies, fuel, and parts. It acts as a floating supply depot that can keep submarines operational in areas far from traditional naval bases.
3. Submarine Refueling and Recharging: As nuclear-powered submarines require periodic refueling and recharging of their nuclear reactors, the USS Emory S. Land provides crucial logistical support. While the ship itself is not equipped to refuel a nuclear reactor, it provides all other necessary support to ensure submarines remain operational while they are in port or alongside the tender.
4. Crew Support: Serving as a floating support platform, the USS Emory S. Land provides accommodations and facilities for submarine crews. This allows submarines to stay at sea for longer periods, as they can rely on the tender for routine upkeep, medical support, and crew rest without needing to return to shore for basic necessities.
5. Training and Education: The ship serves as a base for various training operations for submarine crews, particularly in specialized maintenance tasks. Crews can conduct simulated repairs and gain experience in maintaining complex submarine systems under the supervision of highly trained personnel aboard the tender.
6. Humanitarian Missions: In addition to its primary role of supporting military operations, the USS Emory S. Land has also participated in humanitarian missions, providing disaster relief and medical support in areas affected by natural disasters. Its medical facilities and logistical capabilities make it well-suited for these types of operations.

Key Deployments and Operations

Since its commissioning, the USS Emory S. Land has been deployed in support of the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet across the globe, serving as an essential asset for maintaining the readiness of the fleet in both peacetime and combat situations.

1. Support for Submarine Operations in the Pacific: One of the USS Emory S. Land’s primary areas of operation has been the Pacific Ocean, where the U.S. Navy maintains a significant submarine presence. The ship regularly conducts missions to support submarines operating in the Western Pacific, a critical region for U.S. strategic interests. The Emory S. Land serves as a vital support platform for the Seventh Fleet and other Pacific-based submarine forces.
2. Support for Submarines in the Mediterranean and Atlantic: The USS Emory S. Land has also operated in the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions, providing support to submarine forces deployed in these areas. The tender has been critical in ensuring the readiness of U.S. Navy submarines deployed in the European theater, as well as supporting missions in the Middle East.
3. Humanitarian Assistance in Southeast Asia (2004): Following the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, the USS Emory S. Land was involved in humanitarian relief efforts, providing logistical support and medical assistance to the countries affected by the disaster. The ship’s capabilities as a floating repair and supply base allowed it to be particularly effective in delivering aid to remote regions.
4. Operation Enduring Freedom (2001-2014): During the Global War on Terror, the USS Emory S. Land played a crucial role in supporting U.S. Navy submarines deployed in the Arabian Sea and other parts of the Central Command Area of Responsibility. The ship provided critical maintenance and logistics support to the submarines involved in missions such as intelligence gathering, special operations, and conventional warfare.
5. Support for Nuclear Submarine Fleet: The USS Emory S. Land has provided critical support to the nuclear-powered submarine fleet, particularly with the deployment of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines and Virginia-class attack submarines. The ship’s ability to support nuclear-powered vessels allows these submarines to remain operational at sea for extended periods without the need to return to home ports.

Technological Advancements and Modernization

While the USS Emory S. Land was designed in the late 1970s, it has undergone various upgrades and modernization efforts to ensure it can continue to meet the evolving needs of the Navy’s submarine fleet. These upgrades have focused on improving the ship’s support capabilities, repair facilities, and systems to meet the unique demands of modern submarines.

1. Overhaul and Modernization Programs: As with other ships in the U.S. Navy, the USS Emory S. Land has undergone periodic overhauls and refits to extend its service life and ensure it remains capable of supporting the latest generation of submarines. This includes upgrades to propulsion systems, communications equipment, and damage control systems.
2. Advanced Medical Facilities: The ship’s medical facilities have been upgraded to handle more advanced care, including the treatment of complex injuries or illnesses that might require specialized care during extended deployments.
3. Support for Nuclear-Powered Submarines: The USS Emory S. Land has been updated to ensure it can fully support the advanced nuclear-powered submarines of today, including providing logistical support for their nuclear propulsion systems and integrating new technologies for the repair of sophisticated submarine systems.

Legacy of Rear Admiral Emory S. Land

The USS Emory S. Land is named after Rear Admiral Emory S. Land, a distinguished naval officer who made significant contributions to the U.S. Navy, particularly in the areas of submarine operations and shipbuilding. Admiral Land’s leadership during the early days of submarine warfare and his role in modernizing the Navy’s submarine force helped lay the foundation for the powerful submarine fleet the U.S. Navy maintains today. The ship bearing his name serves as a fitting tribute to his legacy.

Conclusion

The USS Emory S. Land (AS-39) is a vital and indispensable component of the U.S. Navy’s logistical and operational capabilities. As a submarine tender, it ensures that submarines—one of the most critical assets in modern naval warfare—remain ready for combat, whether on routine patrols or during high-intensity operations. Its ability to support, repair, and supply submarines in remote locations makes it a cornerstone of U.S. naval power projection, and its continued service ensures the operational readiness of the Navy’s most advanced undersea platforms for years to come. The USS Emory S. Land’s role in maintaining global security and supporting U.S. military objectives continues to be indispensable to naval operations worldwide.