Under operational control of Commander Submarine Group 7 (Guam), the USS Emory S. Land (AS-39) was previously forward deployed to Diego Garcia in support of Fifth Fleet operations. The move to Subic Bay and Seventh Fleet’s area of operations represents a refocus of US naval strength in the anticipated post-Afghanistan era.
The US Navy’s return to Subic Bay seems fully supported by the Philippines government. In addition to providing a home to visiting US Navy vessels, Subic Bay could prove to be an idea location for basing forward deployed the new littoral combat ships that are now entering the fleet.
130821-N-GL207-068 SUBIC BAY, Republic of the Philippines (Aug. 21, 2013) The submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) moors pier side in Subic Bay. Home ported in Diego Garcia, Emory S. Land is forward deployed conducting coordinated tended moorings and afloat maintenance in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Lavin/Released)
Naval Matters 