American Submarine Visits Korea

Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Tucson (SSN 770) arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea, Nov. 12, as part of a scheduled visit to the Korean peninsula.

The submarine, with a crew of more than 130 Sailors, is based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and is currently on a routine deployment throughout the Western Pacific Ocean.

During the visit to Busan, Tucson Sailors will have the opportunity to engage in training opportunities with their Republic of Korea navy counterparts and participate in cultural exchanges and community outreach events with citizens from the Republic of Korea.

Tucson is the second ship of the United States Navy to be named after the Arizona city. It is the 59th Los Angeles-class attack submarine and the 20th of the improved Los Angeles-class attack submarines. Measuring more than 360 feet and weighing more than 6,800 tons when submerged, Tucson is capable of supporting a multitude of missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, naval special warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea is the regional commander for the U.S. Navy in the Republic of Korea and provides expertise on naval matters to area military commanders, including the Commander for the United Nations Command, the Combined Forces Command, and Commander, U.S. Forces Korea.

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Press Release, November 13, 2013; Image: US Navy