USS Mississippi nuclear submarine arrives in South Korea
The US Navy’s USS Mississippi nuclear-powered submarine has arrived in South Korea as part of its maiden voyage to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, the US military says.
The US Navy’s 7th fleet announced the vessel’s arrival in the Busan port in a statement on Monday, adding that the Virginia-class attack submarine “will conduct a multitude of missions while maintaining proficiency of the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet.”
“This port call to Busan is a great opportunity,” said Commander Eric Rozek, Mississippi’s commanding officer. “The visit allows the crew to contact their loved ones back home following several weeks at sea. At the same time, my Sailors will also get the unique opportunity to experience the heritage, culture and history of Korea and continue to strengthen our relationship with one of our Western Pacific partners.”
According to the Navy’s statement, the submarine’s visit will help bolster mutual military ties between the US and South Korea, allowing for further expansion of their Navy-to-Navy bond.
In March, the US and South Korea began massive war games involving more than 17,000 American and 300,000 South Korean troops, with warships and aircraft carrying out live-fire drills in the region.
For many of the vessel’s nearly 141 sailors, this will be the first mission outside of the US, as the relatively new sub was only commissioned in June 2012 and was permanently assigned to Submarine Squadron 1 of the United States Pacific Fleet in November 2014.
Claimed by the Navy to be “one of the most technologically advanced and stealthiest submarines in the world,” the nearly 115-meter long nuclear submarine has a maximum speed of 34 knots and can fire 12 Tomahawk cruise missiles at once.
The submarine’s visit comes amid rising tensions between the US and North Korea over Pyongyang’s recent nuclear test and missile launches.
The January nuclear test, North Korea's fourth, and its following missile launches violate United Nations resolutions against the North.
In response to the tests, Washington deployed some of its most advanced weapons in South Korea including F-22 stealth fighter jets and Patriot missile systems.
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