SSBN Departure Followed Immediately... US Nuclear-Powered Submarine 'Annapolis' Arrives

'Kentucky Ham' Arrives Three Days After Leaving Korean Peninsula
Defense Ministry: "Logistics Loaded During Mission... Exchange Activities Planned"
Participated in Korea-US-Japan Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise in East Sea Last September

The US nuclear-powered submarine USS Annapolis (SSN-760) arrived at Jeju Naval Base on the 24th. This came just three days after the US strategic nuclear submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN-773) left the Busan operational base.

The Navy announced that the US Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine USS Annapolis docked at Jeju Naval Base on the morning of the same day.

South Korean Navy personnel are welcoming the US LA-class nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) USS Annapolis, which arrived at Jeju Naval Base on the 24th. Provided by the Navy. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Navy explained that this visit was for the purpose of loading supplies during an operational mission. Previously, the USS Annapolis participated in the trilateral anti-submarine warfare exercise between Korea, the US, and Japan held in the East Sea in September last year.

The USS Annapolis is a nuclear-powered submarine primarily tasked with anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare, and is the 49th vessel of the 62 Los Angeles-class submarines built. The Los Angeles-class submarines have a displacement of around 6,000 tons and carry about 130 crew members. Unlike the USS Kentucky, it does not carry nuclear weapons.

A Navy official stated, "The US and Korean navies plan to strengthen joint defense posture and conduct exchange activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of the US-Korea alliance, taking the arrival of the USS Annapolis as an opportunity."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.