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May 20 (UPI) -- The submarine tender USS Emory S. Land returned to its home port at U.S. Naval Base Guam Thursday following an eight-month overhaul and dry-dock period in California, the Navy has announced. According to a Navy press release, the vessel was docked at Mare Island Dry Dock in Vallejo, Calif., for numerous projects that included an upgrade to the ship's communication system and a fixed ballast install of 485 long tons of lead to improve buoyancy and stability.
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"This maintenance period was a huge success," Capt. Michael Luckett, Land's commanding officer, said in the release.
"With the completion of this yard period, I feel confident in our ability to return to the fleet stronger than we were before and ready to carry out our mission in the years ahead," Luckett said.
The Land left Vallejo in early April, traveling to San Diego's Naval Base Point Loma to undergo various inspections and receive a visit from the commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet's Submarine Force.
Sailors and civilian mariners also received their second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine during their visit to Naval Base Loma, the Navy said.
The vessel arrived in California in August for a maintenance period paid for by a $33.5 million Navy contract.
The ship is homeported in Guam, and provides maintenance, hotel services and logistical support to submarines and surface ships in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation, the Navy said.
Land is scheduled to assume duties as the lead maintenance activity this summer and will continue to service submarines and surface ships throughout the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.
