SANTA RITA, Guam (July 1, 2016) Machinist's Mate Weapons 2nd Class Jeramy Coleman, right, holds his daughter, Sage, and kisses his wife, Liz, on the pier during a homecoming ceremony for the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754). Topeka arrived at Polaris Point for its first Guam homecoming following a two-month forward operating period to the Western Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Lieutenant Lauren Spaziano/Released) (Photo by Lt. Lauren Spaziano)
SANTA RITA, Guam -- Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754) returned to its homeport of Polaris Point, Guam, on July 1 following a two-month forward operating period to the Western Pacific.
This is the submarine's first homecoming following national tasking since its homeport shift in May 2015.
Topeka, under the command of Cmdr. David Lammers, is returning from the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility where the crew executed the Chief of Naval Operations' Maritime Strategy in supporting national security interests and maritime security operations.
"I am incredibly proud of my crew," said Lammers. "In the months leading up to our forward operating period, they trained hard and worked to ensure we were more than prepared for our national tasking. This is our first return to Guam following prolonged operations, and the crew is ready to relax and spend well-earned time with family and friends."
Topeka conducted routine patrols throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and operated in conjunction with other Navy ships to conduct maritime security operations that promote stability and peace while developing key partnerships with allies across the region.
Topeka celebrated the various achievements of its crew members in their professional development.
"Topeka has such a remarkable crew, and they did an amazing job," said Master Chief Electronics Technician Matthew Schecter. "We had five Sailors become submarine qualified, 12 crew members frocked and four officers promoted."
Topeka was commissioned Oct. 21, 1989, and is the third ship of the U.S. Navy named for the city of Topeka, Kansas. It is the fourth "improved" Los Angeles-class submarine. Measuring more than 360 feet long and displacing more than 6,900 tons, Topeka has a crew of approximately 140 Sailors. Topeka is capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Topeka is one of four Los Angeles-class attack submarines assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron (COMSUBRON) 15, located at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam in Santa Rita, Guam. The COMSUBRON 15 staff is responsible for providing training, material and personnel readiness support to these commands. The U.S. Navy's two submarine tenders, USS Frank Cable (AS 40) and USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), are also based out of Naval Base Guam. The submarines and tenders are maintained as part of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed submarine force and are readily capable of meeting global operational requirements.
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