04 May 2023
From Lt. Eric Uhden, Commander, Submarine Squadron 15 Public Affairs
NAVAL BASE GUAM – Senior leaders from the navies of Japan, South Korea and the United States visited Naval Base Guam to embark a U.S. Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine operating off Guam, April 18.
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Rick Seif, commander, Submarine Group 7/Task Force 74, was joined on USS Maine (SSBN 741) by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Vice Adm. Tateki Tawara, commander, Fleet Submarine Force, and Rear Adm. Su Youl Lee, commander, Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Submarine Force. During their time at sea, the senior leaders toured the sub, including demonstrations of the unit’s capabilities. The ballistic missile submarine operates globally under U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).
“This underway embark onboard USS Maine in Guam reflects our special relationship with Japan and the Republic of Korea, as well as our ironclad commitment to each alliance,” said Seif. “These submarines, which patrol continuously, provide a critical, stabilizing, and highly effective element of the U.S. nuclear deterrence force.”
This was the first trilateral embark onboard a ballistic missile submarine involving senior commanders of the submarine fleets of the three nations.