US Navy’s Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN 727) pulled into Busan, South Korea, Oct. 13, three days ahead of announced US and ROK Navy maritime drills .
Prior to USS Michigan’s arrival in Busan, another US submarine, the USS Tucson spent time in South Korea at US Fleet Activities Chinhae.
The US Navy said the Michigan’s arrival to South Korea was a routine visit during a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific. The same submarine visited Busan on April 25, this year.
The navy did not say whether the submarine would be taking part in next week’s drills between the US and ROK navies, noting only the sailors would engage in relationship-building activities with military and the local Busan community.
“The U.S. and ROK navies have always enjoyed a strong relationship. Today, our relationship is stronger than it has ever been and our ironclad partnership is further reinforced by this visit from Michigan.” said Rear Adm. Brad Cooper, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea. “Michigan sailors were warmly welcomed by the ROK Navy today and I know they’ll receive the same wonderful welcome from the local community during their visit to Busan.”
USS Michigan is one of four Ohio-class submarines converted from ballistic missile to guided-missile platforms.