'Where America’s victory at sea begins:' Navy officials highlight Guam's undersea power amid China's renewed threat
- Admin
- 2 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Home to five fast-attack submarines that form the backbone of the Navy’s undersea force, Guam remains a strategic hub for homeland defense, officials said, underscoring the island's strong deterrent capability amid China's latest display of aggression.
“Guam is not only where America’s day begins; it is where America’s undersea dominance begins, where warfighting readiness is generated and where victory at sea begins,” said Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck, commander of Submarine Group 7.
Reifsteck presided over the change-of-command ceremony for the Submarine Squadron 15 held July 10 at Naval Base Guam, during which Capt. Neil Steinhagen relinquished command to Capt. Christopher Carter.
“Submarine Squadron 15 creates readiness for the submarines stationed here and restores readiness to those operating throughout the Western Pacific," Reifsteck said.
The Navy considers Guam’s fast-attack submarines as "apex predators of the sea" that enhance deterrence.
“Submarine Squadron 15 occupies a uniquely important place in our nation’s defense,” Carter said as he took the command.
Navy officials pointed up the submarine force’s forward-deployed presence in Guam following China's launch of a long-range ballistic missile with a dummy warhead on July 6.
The missile was reportedly test-fired from a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine, sending a “mock warhead” into the Pacific Ocean.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The Pacific remains our nation’s primary theater of strategic focus and credible deterrence depends upon forward-deployed combat power," said Carter, a Washington, D.C., native and 2002 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.
"From Guam, we provide forward-deployed, combat-ready submarines that deliver persistent presence, unmatched stealth and decisive undersea capability throughout the region," he added.
A mix of Los Angeles-class and Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines are homeported in Guam.
Coinciding with the change of command ceremony on July 10, Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Tucson (SSN 770) arrived at Naval Base Guam as part of the U.S. Navy’s strategic laydown of forces in the Pacific.
According to the Navy's press release, Tucson is the newest submarine assigned to Guam following the 2024 arrival of USS Minnesota (SSN 783), the first Virginia-class fast-attack submarine forward-deployed to Guam.
The homeport shift follows the recent departure of USS Jefferson City (SSN 759), which transitioned to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
“Tucson brings an exceptional crew of sailors who represent the very best of our submarine force," said Cmdr. Vince Bove, commanding officer of USS Tucson.
"We are proud to join the forward-deployed team, strengthen warfighting readiness and support U.S. strategic objectives across the region. We also look forward to becoming part of the Guam community that plays such a vital role in enabling our mission," he added.
At the change-of-command ceremony, the Navy noted that under Steinhagen’s leadership, the Submarine Squadron 15 managed 43 voyage repair periods, 15 continuous maintenance availabilities and four homeport changes, including the arrival of its first Virginia-class submarine.
The squadron's staff supported 20 visiting commands and 38 port calls involving deployed U.S., allied, guided-missile and ballistic-missile submarines.
"Those efforts strengthened the readiness of U.S. 7th Fleet’s undersea force, enhanced interoperability with regional allies and partners and ensured combat-ready submarines remained forward-deployed in the Pacific," the Navy said.
Steinhagen, a 1999 graduate of North Carolina State University, will move to Yokosuka, Japan, where he will serve as chief of staff for Commander, Submarine Group 7.
Subscribe to
our digital
monthly issue