USS Emory S. Land on Tuesday made its second port call on island with acting Gov. David M. Apatang welcoming the ship’s commanding officer, Capt. Brent Spillner, his fellow officers and crew members at the Port of Saipan.
With Guam as its home port, USS Emory S. Land is one of the U.S. Navy’s two submarine tenders. It visited Saipan in February last year. Its sister tender, USS Frank Cable, also made a port visit on Saipan, Spillner said.
The other officers of USS Emory S. Land are its executive officer, Cmdr. Bryan Kupyar, and Command Master Chief Jonathan Render.
Spillner said they re-arm, repair and resupply U.S. and allied submarines as well as U.S. and allied warships.
Coming to Saipan, he said, gives them a chance to simulate being in another port without the Navy’s infrastructure.
While on Saipan for three days, Spillner said they will conduct small boat operations, simulate tending to another unit, and provide anything it may need.
He said it’s the kind of capability that they must have on short notice anywhere in the Pacific Ocean.
As for Saipan, he said “it’s just a beautiful place…and another fantastic part of the Marianas.”
Asked if there was a submarine that came with them, Spillner said for this visit, “it is scheduled to be just us.” But, he added, “there are certainly a lot of submarines out there to keep us safe all the time.”
Apatang welcomed Spillner, his fellow officers and crew members, saying “we appreciate them stopping by…to visit our businesses and our community, and patronize our restaurants and stores.”
“I just want them to enjoy their stay, and we’d like to encourage them to please come back again,” the acting governor said.
Also aboard USS Emory S. Land was Chief Petty Officer Kevin Barbo, a son of Saipan. His father, Willy Barbo, and older brother, Darwin Barbo, are active members of the island’s sports community.
Chief Petty Officer Kevin Barbo said it was his first time as a Navy officer to return to the island, “so I’m overly excited to be back. I got my family waiting for me in the parking lot. It’s good to be back, to be here with the ship to represent the Navy itself, so I’m really excited about that.”
USS Emory S. Land Commanding Officer Capt. Brent Spillner, right, and Chief Petty Officer Kevin Barbo, left, with acting Gov. David M. Apatang at the port of Saipan on Tuesday.
