Rear Adm. Jeff Jablon, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Japan Sept. 12 through Sept. 14, 2022 to meet with U.S. Navy leadership and strengthen existing ties with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
The U.S.-Japan alliance is a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and its navies have worked together for more than 70 years to assure regional security.
To begin the visit, Jablon met with Commander, Submarine Group (CSG) 7 /Commander, Task Force (CTF) 74, Rear Adm. Rick Seif, who directs U.S. Navy assets conducting undersea warfare within the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea as the Theater Undersea Warfare Commander. Seif provided an update on the undersea operations of the Indo-Pacific and how our submarine forces continue to reassure our allies and partners in the region of the Navy’s commitment to security and stability.
“Undersea forces who operate in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations frequently train with their Japanese counterparts and visit Japanese ports, and it was beneficial for me to engage with the CTF 74 staff and observe their daily operations first hand” said Jablon. “The Sailors and civilians assigned to Submarine Group Seven are outstanding professionals who work day in and day out to ensure our undersea advantage in the Western Pacific.”
Jablon conducted visits to and held discussions with JMSDF Commander, Fleet Submarine Force Vice Adm. TAWARA Tateki and JMSDF Commander in Chief, Self Defense Fleet, Vice Adm. YUASA Hideki. TAWARA then took Jablon to Yokosuka Naval Base to tour the newest submarine in the JMSDF fleet, the Taigei-class submarine JS Taigei (SS 513).
“This visit was a fantastic opportunity to meet with my counterparts here in Japan, and reaffirm our mutual interest in the undersea domain,” said Jablon. “I appreciated being able to visit the newest submarine in the Japanese Fleet, JS Taigei. The excitement from the commanding officer and his crew were palpable, and I wish them the best as they begin to operate in support of their national goals.”
Jablon’s visit also included visits to meet with other U.S. Navy leadership in Japan including Rear Adm. Erik Eslich, the deputy commander for U.S. 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. Carl Lahti, commander, Navy Region Japan, and Capt. Will Toraason, commodore of CTF 72. CTF 74 and CTF 72 work closely together within the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to conduct seamless theater antisubmarine warfare operations.
The U.S. Pacific Submarine Force provides anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, precision land strike, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and early warning, special warfare capabilities, and strategic deterrence around the world.