U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754) returned to its homeport of Polaris Point, Guam, on July 1 following a two-month forward operating period to the Western Pacific.
This is the submarine’s first Guam homecoming after it changed homeports in May 2015 when it transferred from the Diego Garcia base to Polaris Point.
Topeka, under the command of Cmdr. David Lammers , is returning from the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility where the crew executed conducted routine patrols throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and operated in conjunction with other Navy ships to conduct maritime security operations in the region.
“I am incredibly proud of my crew,” said Lammers. “In the months leading up to our forward operating period, they trained hard and worked to ensure we were more than prepared for our national tasking. This is our first return to Guam following prolonged operations, and the crew is ready to relax and spend well-earned time with family and friends.”
Topeka was commissioned Oct. 21, 1989, and is the third ship of the U.S. Navy named for the city of Topeka, Kansas. It is the fourth “improved” Los Angeles-class submarine. Measuring more than 360 feet long and displacing more than 6,900 tons, Topeka has a crew of approximately 140 Sailors.
Topeka is capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
The boat is also one of four Los Angeles-class attack submarines assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron (COMSUBRON) 15, located at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam in Santa Rita, Guam. The submarines and tenders stationed in Guam are maintained as part of the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed submarine force and are readily capable of meeting global operational requirements.