The 12-storey USS Emory S. Land has the crucial role of supplying and repairing American submarines in the open ocean. With Australia's submarine programme ramping up, our own sailors have jumped on board for five months, to pick up vital skills from one of our closest allies.
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00:00 The stars and the stripes towering over the sparkling waters of Darwin Harbour.
00:07 The USS Emery S. Land, the latest visitor to the top end's HMAS Coonawarra, a sign of
00:13 deepening ties with America in the face of rising geostrategic challenges.
00:18 To keep the Indo-Pacific free and open and prosperous and secure, so Darwin plays a huge
00:24 role.
00:25 The ship is a crucial support vessel for the United States' fleet of nuclear submarines
00:30 equipped to repair, rearm and resupply the subs and other Navy vessels.
00:36 We're basically a floating naval base.
00:38 We aim to provide all the things that you expect to find at a naval base.
00:41 And that includes the unexpected.
00:43 Tucked into the maze of passageways, a shopping centre on the high seas, a dentist, a post
00:49 office, even a barber shop.
00:52 The USS Emery is so massive it even has its own convenience store.
00:56 But the ship's main purpose is to repair critical components for ships and submarines while
01:02 out at sea.
01:03 On board for the past five months, a group of 17 Australian sailors learning the tricks
01:09 of the trade as Australia prepares for its own nuclear subs.
01:13 It's a part of the optimal pathway for development of the nuclear submarine capability.
01:20 While at sea, Royal Australian Navy sailors are hands on, manufacturing key parts that
01:25 help keep ships and subs on the water for longer.
01:28 And it's definitely something that would be incredible to bring back to the Royal Australian
01:32 Navy and bring that capability.
01:34 Important lessons as Australia marches towards an orcas future.
01:38 [BLANK_AUDIO]