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The U.S. Navy announced that the USS Springfield, a Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine, completed its routine deployment in the Indo-Pacific region and returned to Naval Base Guam on August 31. During this deployment, the submarine carried out crucial national security operations, enhanced regional deterrence, and conducted at least two port visits to Japan.
Captain Neil Steinhagen, commander of Submarine Squadron 15, praised the USS Springfield for demonstrating the strength and professionalism of the U.S. submarine force and its critical role in sustaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Each Los Angeles-class submarine is equipped with 12 vertical launch tubes for Tomahawk cruise missiles and four torpedo tubes for MK-48 torpedoes.
On the other hand, Russia’s Yasen-M-class nuclear-powered submarine Krasnoyarsk returned to its base on the Kamchatka Peninsula after a three-month deployment. The Krasnoyarsk covered more than 11,500 miles and completed various tasks in the Pacific Fleet’s area of responsibility.
The Russian Pacific Fleet highlighted that the crew would resume combat training following a period of rest.
During the USS Springfield’s deployment, it was spotted at Sasebo Naval Base in Japan on May 17 and at White Beach Naval Facility in Uruma on August 13. Sasebo is located on Kyushu Island, while Uruma is on Okinawa.
In a related development, the Russian Pacific Fleet conducted joint patrols with China and appeared to be shadowed by a U.S. destroyer, which the Navy stated was ensuring regional security.
The disclosure of these submarine deployments comes after the August 15 U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska, where both leaders failed to reach a ceasefire agreement regarding the war in Ukraine.
The Krasnoyarsk’s transit across the Arctic Ocean from the Barents Sea to the Pacific Fleet is noteworthy. While the specific tasks during its deployment remain unclear, the Russian Pacific Fleet emphasized that the submarine’s crew would resume scheduled combat training after rest.
Russian presidential aide and Chairman of the Maritime Board Nikolai Patrushev commented on Tuesday: “Building up our defensive potential in the Far East and strengthening our naval power in the Pacific is a priority. The Pacific Fleet demonstrates excellent training and high levels of combat readiness.”
As both nations continue their submarine and ship deployments in the Pacific, it remains to be seen whether their undersea and surface forces will interact.
