USS Minnesota joins U.S. Navy forces in Guam, strengthening strategic presence amid rising tensions with China

12/03/2024 / By Richard Brown

The United States Navy has deployed one of its most advanced attack submarines, the USS Minnesota (SSN-783) to Guam, as part of the country’s program of strengthening its strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region amid growing tensions with China.

The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, along with its crew of approximately 140 sailors, arrived at Naval Base Guam on Nov. 26. This deployment is part of the Navy’s broader “strategic laydown plan,” which positions its most capable units forward to enhance operational readiness and flexibility in the region.

“This posture allows for rapid response capabilities in maritime and joint force operations, helping deter aggression while promoting a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” the U.S. Navy stated in a press release.

China’s growing military presence has raised concerns among U.S. officials. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is currently the world’s largest in terms of number of active vessels, with more than 600 PLAN ships and around 230 additional auxiliary vessels, compared to the U.S. Navy’s approximately 470, of which only around 300 are deployable and around 50 are scheduled for retirement in the next three years.

The PLAN fleet includes six nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines and six nuclear-powered attack submarines, as reported by the Department of Defense in 2023. The report predicts that the Chinese submarine fleet will expand to over 80 vessels by 2035, underscoring the increasing maritime competition in the region.

Adm. Samuel Paparo, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, recently described the Indo-Pacific as the “most stressing theater,” highlighting the importance of maintaining military readiness in this critical area. The USS Minnesota’s deployment bolsters this strategic posture, joining four Cold War-era Los Angeles-class submarines deployed with Submarine Squadron 15 in Guam: the USS Asheville (SSN-758), USS Jefferson City (SSN-759), USS Annapolis (SSN-760) and USS Springfield (SSN-761).

“The arrival of the USS Minnesota will significantly enhance our operational capabilities and reinforce our deterrence efforts throughout the Indo-Pacific,” said Capt. Neil Steinhagen, commander of Submarine Squadron 15.

Virginia-class submarines, such as the USS Minnesota, offer advanced warfighting capabilities, including superior coastal operational effectiveness, larger payload capacities and enhanced situational awareness, making them a valuable asset in countering regional threats.

“Minnesota is composed of exemplary individuals representing some of our brightest sailors in the Fleet. They’re eager to contribute to our strategic objectives and maintain warfighting readiness in the Pacific,” said Cmdr. Isaac Pelt, the commanding officer of the USS Minnesota.

Commissioned in 2013, the USS Minnesota was the 10th Virginia-class submarine to enter service. The Navy now has 23 active Virginia-class submarines, with the most recent addition being the USS New Jersey (SSN-796), commissioned in September 2024.

Buildup of U.S. Navy in Guam critical for countering Chinese aggression

Guam, a critical U.S. territory located about 3,800 miles from Hawaii and 1,700 miles from Taiwan, is vital to regional security. Situated along the second island chain – as defined by the Pentagon’s “island chain strategy” – which stretches from Japan to Micronesia, Guam is strategically positioned to monitor and counter Chinese military activities. The first island chain, which runs from Japan’s Kyushu Island to Taiwan, the Philippines and the Malay Peninsula, is seen as a barrier preventing China from extending its naval and air power into the Pacific.

The proximity of Guam to the democratic self-governing island of Taiwan, which China seeks to reunite with Beijing – by force, if necessary – enhances its significance as a military outpost for the U.S. Armed Forces.

A report by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) noted that, in the event of a conflict with China over Taiwan, Guam could become a “critical logistics hub” for U.S. operations. The CFR also highlighted concerns about China’s cyber activities targeting U.S. infrastructure, noting that the Chinese cyber group “Volt Typhoon” has been probing vulnerabilities in Guam and other U.S. territories since mid-2021. (Related: Oceans can no longer protect America as space and cyber technologies continue to grow worldwide.)

Wilson Beaver, a defense policy expert at The Heritage Foundation, further emphasized the importance of Virginia-class submarines to U.S. national security, noting that these submarines remain a generation ahead of their Chinese counterparts, particularly in terms of propulsion, weapons systems and noise-reduction technology.

As tensions in the Indo-Pacific continue to rise, the USS Minnesota’s presence in Guam will serve as a potent reminder of the United States’ commitment to regional stability and its ability to project power in the face of increasing Chinese military capabilities.

Watch this video showing the stationing of B-2 Spirit stealth nuclear-capable bombers at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, which is within striking distance of China and North Korea.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.