After Chinhae, attack submarine USS Tucson pulls into Yokosuka

US Navy’s Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Tucson (SSN 770) pulled into Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, on December 1, becoming the third US Navy submarine to visit a port in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region in 30 days.

USS Tucson arrived in Yokosuka after previously visiting US Fleet Activities Chinhae, the US Navy’s only mainland Asia base, in October this year.

Virginia-class submarine USS Mississippi and Los Angeles-class submarine USS Key West previously visited Yokosuka on November 6 and 21, respectively. USS Mississippi (SSN 782) later went on to visit the island of Jeju-do, Republic of Korea, becoming the first US submarine to visit the island on November 22.

Homeported out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Tucson is able to operate in all oceans of the world. Tucson is the 59th Los Angeles-class attack submarine and the 20th of the improved Los Angeles-class attack submarines to be built.

“It’s important for our young sailors to experience the rich culture and heritage of Japan,” said Cmdr. Chad Hardt, commanding officer of Tucson. “The crew is excited to be here and to have the opportunity to continue to strengthen the outstanding relationship between our countries.”