GARDEN ISLAND, HMAS Stirling, Western Australia, Australia (Nov. 14, 2025) - Sailors from the USS Vermont (SSN 792) prepare to open Main Ballast Tank 3’s access hatch after a bilateral team of Australian and U.S. Navy divers placed a patch with an eductor connection on the hull. This eductor facilitated dewatering of the tank, allowing access for the maintenance team. After hatch removal, the crew fully vented the space and installed emergency dewatering pumps. The maintenance period showcased Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility’s ability to conduct maintenance in Western Australia and its training of Australian maintainers to support the establishment of Submarine Rotational Force – West as early as 2027 as part of AUKUS Pillar I, the trilateral security agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The AUKUS I&A Program Office is the U.S. Navy office responsible for executing the trilateral partnership to assist Australia in acquiring conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines at the earliest possible date while setting the highest nuclear stewardship standards and continuing to maintain the highest nonproliferation standard. (U.S. Navy Photo by Cmdr. Erik Wells)
| Date Taken: | 11.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 01.22.2026 17:09 |
| Photo ID: | 9488526 |
| VIRIN: | 251114-N-PE342-1233 |
| Resolution: | 2452x1632 |
| Size: | 1.12 MB |
| Location: | WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AU |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, MAIN BALLAST TANK [Image 7 of 7], by CDR Erik Wells, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
AUKUS Submarine Maintenance Period Demonstrates Forward Sustainment in Australia
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