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Australia’s submarine builder and sustainer, ASC, has announced the official opening of a new office in Honolulu, Hawaii.
ASC, speaking with Defence Connect, shared the details of the new office which is designed to support ASC team members training with US personnel at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Hawaii.
The official opening ceremony included a traditional Hawaiian blessing and mural showcasing ASC’s enduring partnership with the US Navy and shipyard community.
The opening included a Hawaiian blessing and the unveiling of a specially commissioned mural depicting the strong partnership we have with the US Navy at the Shipyard. Together, we’ll develop the capability Australia needs to keep our nation safe, according to the ASC.
“More than 240 ASC employees and their families, more than 500 in total, are currently deployed to Pearl Harbor. Our employees are building specialist skills and experience working alongside US Navy personnel on Virginia Class submarines,” an ASC spokesperson said.
“The Submarine Maintenance Period (SMP), now underway at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, is already benefiting from that experience, with 60 ASC employees having returned from Hawaii to support this important next step in ASC's transition to nuclear-powered submarine sustainment.
“Our new Honolulu office provides a dedicated base to support our US-based ASC personnel and their families, strengthens engagement with our US Navy and industry partners, and reflects ASC's growing role in delivering Australia's nuclear-powered submarine program under AUKUS.”
It’s understood that the office is staffed by a small number of local US and ASC employees who will operate between the office base and the Pearl Harbor Naval Yard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility.
The office is designed to provide on-the-ground support for more 250-plus employees working alongside US Navy personnel and industry partners, while also facilitating engagement with stakeholders across the submarine enterprise. In addition, the office can be used as an administrative headquarters to provide suitable facilities for training and skills development, and a place where employees can remotely connect with their colleagues or supervisors in Australia, as well as employees' families to promote smooth assimilation.
“I was incredibly proud to welcome our in-country partners and senior Australian Commonwealth submarine representatives to the recent opening of the Honolulu office,” according to ASC Country Manager US, Chris Shearn.
“This is recognition of an enduring partnership between Australia and the US, and a shared commitment to submarine sustainment excellence in support of AUKUS.”
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