MANILA, Philippines — A US submarine docked in the Subic Bay on Tuesday, gearing for its “multitude of missions” in the Indo-Pacific.
In a statement, the United States embassy in Manila announced that the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754) arrived at the Subic Bay on Tuesday as part of its routine deployment in the Indo-Pacifc, the maritime space from the Indian Ocean to the west and central Pacific Ocean.
With a crew of 160 sailors, the embassy said the Topeka would conduct a multitude of missions and maintain proficiency of the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet.
“The United States Navy continues to enjoy a close relationship with the Republic of the Philippines,” said Commander David P. Lammers, commanding officer in a statement.
“Through port visits such as this one, we strengthen our ties and foster valuable cultural exchange. The more we interact, the better we will understand one another and the stronger our alliance will become. I appreciate the efforts that make us feel so welcome when we visit Subic Bay,” Lammers said.
For Filipino-American sailors aboard, on the other hand, it was an opportunity to connect with their heritage.
“Having moved from the Philippines and been raised in California from the age of three, I never really had a chance to experience true Filipino culture outside of my own family,”Machinist Mate 1st Class Juan Paulo Reyes said.
“This trip to Subic that the Navy has offered me is a great opportunity to explore my heritage and connect with members of my family still in the Philippines,” he added.
This is their first time for the other crew members to visit the Philippines.
The embassy described Topeka as “a marvel of modern engineering,” capable of operating at depths greater than 800 feet at speeds up to 25 nautical miles per hour.
Measuring more than 300 feet long and weighing more than 6,000 tons, Topeka is one of the stealthiest submarines in the world.
This submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, surveillance and reconnaissance.
“Commissioned in 1989, Topeka has a long standing tradition of excellence and achievement. Its crew is highly trained and capable of supporting the boat through any mission cycle within short notice,” the embassy said. SFM