A Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, one of the U.S. military’s most important strategic assets, has been forward-deployed to Guam for the first time.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command released a photo of the Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Minnesota arriving at Naval Base Guam on Saturday.
The USS Minnesota(SSN 783) is the first Virginia-class attack submarine to be forward-deployed to Guam and will join four Los Angeles-class attack submarines that were previously forward-deployed, the command said.
The Los Angeles-class submarines are the Navy’s flagship nuclear-powered attack submarines. The Virginia-class is the next generation of the class developed to replace the Los Angeles-class. They are capable of taking on both submarines and surface ships and can perform a wide range of missions, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
“They’re eager to get out into the local community and stand ready to contribute to our strategic objectives and maintain warfighting readiness in the Pacific,” said Cmdr. Isaac Pelt, commanding officer, USS Minnesota.
Capt. Neil Steinhagen, commander, Submarine Squadron 15 said, “Guam serves as a strategic outpost in the Western Pacific, playing a vital role in maintaining stability across the region.”
