United States Navy

Submarine Tenders

USS Emory S. Land AS 39


USS Emory S. Land Patch
Displacement
(tons Laden)
23,000Built / Launched3/2/1976 / 5/4/1977
Length644' 0"Built ByLockheed Shipbuilding,
Seatle, Wa.
Beam85' 0"ClassEmory S. Land
Draft26' 0"Commissioned1979
Speed (rated)21.0kts
Compliment 1,500

EMORY SCOTT LAND a native of Canon City, Colorado, attended the University of Wyoming prior to his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. He entered the Academy as a Naval Cadet and graduated with distinction on May 21, 1902. After two years at sea, then required by law, he was commissioned en Ensign on May 2, 1904. After leaving the Academy, he became a Naval architect specializing in submarine construction.

During World War I, Vice Admiral Land was assigned for duty with the Board of Devices and Plans Connected with Submarines in Warfare in May 1917; the Board of Standardization of Submarines in September 1917; the Staff of Admiral W. S. Sims, USN, Commander Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, at Naval Headquarters, London, England, in July 1918; and the Allied Naval Armistice Commission.

He was awarded the Navy Cross for his work on submarine design and construction and for work in the war zone. As Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair from 1932 to 1937, he supervised the design and development of submarines that formed the backbone of the U. S. Submarine Fleet in World War II. On October 1,1932, Rear Admiral Land was designated Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair, and remained there until he retired from active duty April 1, 1937. Within a month, he was appointed to the newly created U.S. Maritime Commission, tasked with rehabilitating the Nation's rapidly declining merchant fleet. On February 18, 1938, he became Chairman of the Commission , relieving Joesph P.Kennedy. On February 9, 1942, following the outbreak of WW II, he was also assigned as Administrator of the War Shipping Administration. He served in the dual capacity until the ending of hostilities. During the War, he directed the design, establishment and maintenance of a 6000 vessel merchant fleet, the greatest maritime fleet in the history of the world. He was responsible for the availability of shipping and the resultant flow of manpower and munitions to war fronts extending from the United Kingdom to Russia and from Alaska to the Middle East.

He was advanced to Vice Admiral in 1944 by a special act of Congress. On January 15, 1946, Vice Admiral Land resigned as Chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission. For outstanding services, he was awarded the Navy's Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Service Medal by the War Department. He then became President of the Air Transport Association of America from 1946-1954 and worked as a consultant for General Dynamics Corporation until his death in November 1971 at age 92.

The keel was laid for the USS EMORY S. LAND on 2 March 1976, and she was launched on 4 May 1977 after being christened by her sponsor, Mrs. Sara H. Long. EMORY S. LAND was delivered to the Navy on 2 March 1979, just three years after the laying of the keel. EMORY S. LAND was placed "In Commission, Special" on 23 March 1979,and was placed "In Commission" on 7 July 1979.

To construct a ship the size of the EMORY S. LAND, 12,500 tons of steel were required, along with 142 miles ofelectric cable and 30 miles of piping. USS EMORY S. LAND is the first of the Navy's newest class of submarine tender, designed to support the Los Angeles Class attack submarine.
USS LAND AS-39 at the D & S pier, Norfolk
USS LAND at the D & S pier, Norfolk.
Photo courtesy Annmarie Ponder-LaDue,DM2(SW) US Navy (Ret)
Webmaster & Plankowner of USS Shenandoah (AD-44)
USS Shenandoah AD-44 Web Site
The ship provides food, electricity, water, consumable, spare parts, medical, dental, disbursing, mail, legal services, ordnance, and any parts or equipment repair that the submarine may require. To accomplish this, the ship has a physical plant similar to that of a small town, including 53 different specialized shops. In September 1980, EMORY S. LAND deployed to the Pacific Fleet to provide services to the Indian Ocean Battle Group. In July 1986, EMORY S. LAND operated as Officer in Tactical Command of four United States ships and five foreign ships in transit from the Virginia Capes operating area to the New York Harbor where she participated in the International Naval Review and Fourth of July Statue of Liberty Rededication ceremonies. In August 1987, EMORY S. LAND operated as the tactical and communications platform for Submarine Squadron EIGHT and Submarine Squadron SIX to work both with and against a surface combatant group.

In 1988, EMORY S. LAND was underway and deployed for 182 days. During the deployment, the ship steamed 26,011nautical miles and circumnavigated the world. Port visits included Lisbon, Portugal; Naples, Italy, Port Said, Egypt; Muscat, Oman; Fremantle, Australia; and Rodman, Panama. During her 92 days anchored in the North Arabian Sea, she tended the surface combatants of Joint Task Force Middle East and Carrier Battle Group operating in the North Arabian Sea.

In July 1993, EMORY S. LAND served as the Commander, Submarine Group TWO flagship during a port visit to Boston, and was the host ship for a visit by the Commanding-In-Chief, Russian Northern Fleet and three visiting Russian ships.

Since her commissioning, EMORY S. LAND has received two Meritorious Unit Commendations, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and four Battle Efficiency Awards in addition to numerous departmental awards. The ship won the Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial for Large Ship food service excellence in1985 and 1995, the Safety "S" award for 1995, and the Red DC in 1995.

In June, 1999 USS Emory S. Land relieved USS Simon Lake (AS-33) as the support ship, Naval Forces Support Site, La Maddalena, Italy. For the next eight years Land served as the sole support ship for both submarine and surface ships in eastern Atlantic region.

In September, 2007, the U. S. Navy closed the Naval Support Facility, La Maddalena, Itay, Land received orders to depart on or about 1 October to proceed to Bremerton, Washington for (almost) a years yard availability during which time Land will receive much needed repairs, upgrades and replacements.

{History from the Emory's Web Page and crew}

Los Angeles class submarine USS San Juan (SSN 751) arrives for a port visit and prepares to be berthed next to submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). San Juan is home-based in Groton, Conn. and the tender is home-based in La Maddalena, Italy.
U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley.
(030221-N-0780F-020 Souda Bay, Crete, Greece (Feb. 21, 2003) --RELEASED)

The submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) sits at anchor in Souda Bay with two Avenger-class minesweepers moored and standing by to receive maintenance and stores onloaded from Emory S. Land personnel.
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Benjamin D. Olvey.
(030315-N-4004O-002 Souda Bay, Crete, Greece (Mar. 15, 2003) -- RELEASED)

The sun rises behind the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). Emory S. Land is the only forward deployed submarine tender in the Western hemisphere. Submarine Tenders furnish maintenance and logistic support for nuclear attack submarines.
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Wes Marquis.
(040114-N-8197M-002 Santa Stefano, Italy (Jan. 14, 2004) --RELEASED)

The guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) is tied-up along side USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) for maintenance and repairs. Emory S. Land is a forward deployed submarine tender homeported in LaMaddalena, Italy, that provides logistical support and repairs to all Sixth Fleet surface and submarine assets.
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Wesley Marquis.
(040327-N-8197M-003 LaMaddalena, Italy (Mar. 27, 2004) – RELEASED)

USS La Salle (AGF 3), the Dutch frigate HNLMS Jacob Van Heemskerck (F 812), and submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) steam together through the Atlantic Ocean while participating in Majestic Eagle 2004. Majestic Eagle is a multinational exercise being conducted off the coast of Morocco. The exercise demonstrates the combined force capabilities and quick response times of the participating naval, air, undersea and surface warfare groups. Countries involved in the NATO led exercise include the United Kingdom, Morocco, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey. Truman's participation in Majestic Eagle is part of her scheduled deployment supporting the Navy's new fleet response plan (FRP) Summer Pulse 2004, the simultaneous deployment of seven carrier strike groups (CSGs), demonstrating the ability of the Navy to provide credible combat across the globe, in five theaters with other U.S., allied, and coalition military forces.
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Josh Kinter
(040712-N-7748K-063 North Atlantic Ocean (July 12, 2004) - RELEASED)

Hull Technician 3rd Class Jessica Curtis, welds side-panel armor for a U.S. Army 5-ton truck at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Curtis is assigned to the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). She and fourteen shipmates aboard Emory S. Land volunteered to help with the up-armor mission at Camp Buehring for approximately 45 days.
U.S. Army photo by Spc. Curt Cashour
(050204-A-0000C-001 Camp Buehring, Kuwait (Feb. 4, 2005) - RELEASED)

Tugboats, help maneuver the submarine tender, USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), alongside the command ship, USS La Salle (AGF 3), in preparation for a scheduled availability period. As one of its primary missions, Emory S. Land deploys to Gaeta, on a regular basis to provide repairs for the La Salle.
U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Jared Hill
(040218-N-4376H-014 Gaeta, Italy (Feb. 18, 2004) - RELEASED)

Electrician's Mate Fireman David Benjamin and Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Russell, clean grime off the arbor of an electric generator that is being rewound for the local community courtesy of the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land's (AS 39) motor rewind shop. Land is the first U.S. Navy ship to visit Angola in 32 years and is currently conducting repair training, AIDS awareness training and community relation projects with host nationals.
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Jonathan Kulp
(060330-N-2420K-009 Luanda, Angola (March 30, 2006) - RELEASED)

Machinery Repairman 1st Class Robert Mims describes to Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable, Dr. Donald C. Winter several types of work the machine shop is capable of producing aboard the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). Land is anchored of the coast Ghana, while Sailors work closely with Ghanaian Sailors, training them in preventative maintenance and assisting with needed repairs to their ships. SECNAV is in Africa to get a first-hand look at the work being done by the Sailors and Marines deployed to the region.
U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Craig P. Strawser
(060419-N-2568S-139 Sekondi, Ghana (April 19, 2006) - RELEASED)

Electrician's Mates 2nd Class Gilbert Santiago and Petty Officer Francisco Cuellar explain to Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Dr. Donald C. Winter their job responsibilities and duties. The SECNAV continued his tour of the submarine-tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). The Land is anchored off the coast of Sekondi, Ghana in support of its Sailors that are working closely with the Ghanaian Navy to train them in preventative maintenance procedures, and providing Ghana's Navy assistance in repairing their ships. SECNAV's focus while in Africa was to get a first-hand look at the work being done by U.S. Sailors and Marines deployed to the region.
U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Craig P. Strawser
(060419-N-2568S-133 Sekondi, Ghana (April 19, 2006) - RELEASED)

Sailors assigned to the USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) await the arrival of guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) for a voyage repair availability period. Emory S. Land is a forward-deployed submarine tender stationed in La Maddalena, Italy. U.S. Navy photo by Mass
Communication Specialist Seaman Samantha Stark
(070728-N-0613S-015 LA MADDALENA, Italy (July 28, 2007) - RELEASED)

Submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) is assisted by tugs as she departs her homeport in Italy for the final time. Emory S. Land left after eight years of providing mobile fleet support to submarines and surface ships in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesus Uranga
(070929-N-2566U-001 LA MADDALENA, Italy (Sept. 29, 2007) – RELEASED)

Sailors aboard submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) man the rails as the ship departs her homeport in Italy for the final time. Emory S. Land left after eight years of providing mobile fleet support to submarines and surface ships in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. Navy photo by
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesus Uranga

(070929-N-2566U-002 LA MADDALENA, Italy
(Sept. 29, 2007) - RELEASED)

Submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) pulls out of Naval Station Norfolk. Emory S. Land deployed Oct. 26, on her way to the ship's new homeport of Bremerton, Wash.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky
(071026-N-1082Z-017 NORFOLK, Va. (Oct. 26, 2007) - RELEASED)

Submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) pulls into its new homeport at Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton. Land's arrival from La Maddalena, Italy, completes its change of homeport after eight years of providing mobile fleet support to submarines and surface ships in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maebel Tinoko
(071129-N-2143T-001 BREMERTON, Wash. (Nov. 29, 2007) - Released)


On November 29, 2007 LAND arrived at Naval Base Kitsap for a 10 month "upkeep". At this point we're not sure what that means - as LAND is known to be in need of a great deal of repair, updates / upgrades - i.e. an overhaul. We're assuming (hoping) that in this case "upkeep" is Navy PR speak for overhaul. More details on the change in operations for LAND are also trickling out: from the 11/29/07 issue of the Kitsap Sun:
BREMERTON
The submarine repair ship USS Emory S. Land arrived at Naval Base Kitsap on Thursday for a 10-month "upkeep." The $80 million equipment overhaul and maintenance, which will be performed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, won't begin until June.

For the past eight years, the ship has been homeported at La Maddalena, Italy, a base that will be closed on Feb. 28. It departed for Bremerton with a crew of 825 in late September. The Navy lists the ship's usual crew size at 83 officers and 1,268 enlisted. The crews are made up mostly of technicians and repair personnel.

While here, the ship will convert to a hybrid crew of Navy sailors and Military Sealift Command mariners and its total crew size will be trimmed to 450. Civilians will operate the ship; sailors will fix and supply attack submarines and surface ships that pull up to it. [Emphasis added]

The Emory Land will remain a Navy ship with a Navy captain as the commanding officer. Capt. Jeffrey Hughes has been in command since June 2006. The ship will stay in Bremerton through September 2009.

This is a major change for LAND- a ship that was routinely "manned" by roughly 1300 officers and crew - and still was known to be stretched quite thin in covering it's assigned duties. especially recently. How, then - being "manned" by only 450 would it be possible to provide the depth and quality of service she could when fully manned? Is her fate to become nothing more than a floating warehouse and barracks - with limited repair and support capabilities? Will she even retain the AS designation and wear instead an AR - or even the indignity of an IX?

USS Emory S. Land AS 39 in 1993
USS Emory S. Land AS-39 Official Navy Website
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