Virginia-class submarine USS Texas stops in Japan on regional deployment

US Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarine USS Texas (SSN 775) pulled into Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, on January 17 for a regular port visit, the US Navy announced.

The visit is part of the submarine’s deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Texas is visiting Sasebo almost exactly two years after her previous disclosed visit which took place on January 21, 2016. During her 2016 deployment, which concluded in March, Texas set a new submerged endurance record for the boat while on missions.

The navy said the latest visit was aimed at strengthening ties between the US and Japan through the crew’s interaction with Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces.

With a crew of approximately 150, Texas will conduct a number of missions and maintain proficiencies in the submarine fleet.

Measuring 377 feet long and weighing more than 7,900 tons, Texas is capable of executing a multitude of missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, and shallow water operations.