According to information published by the US Department of Defense on December 13, 2024, the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Greeneville (SSN 772) is currently conducting operations in the Pacific Ocean.
The USS Greeneville (SSN-772) is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine of the United States Navy, named after Greeneville, Tennessee. Constructed at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Virginia, her keel was laid on February 28, 1992. She was launched on September 17, 1994, sponsored by Tipper Gore, and commissioned on February 16, 1996.
The Los Angeles-class submarines are designed for a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and land-attack missions using Tomahawk cruise missiles. Greeneville is equipped with four 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes and twelve vertical launch system (VLS) tubes for Tomahawk missiles. She is powered by an S6G nuclear reactor, enabling speeds exceeding 30 knots and providing a submerged endurance limited only by onboard supplies.
Throughout her service, Greeneville has been involved in several notable incidents. On February 9, 2001, during a demonstration of an emergency surfacing maneuver near Oahu, Hawaii, she collided with the Japanese fishing training vessel Ehime Maru, causing the latter to sink and resulting in the tragic loss of nine lives.
In January 2002, Greeneville sustained minor damage following a collision with the amphibious transport ship USS Ogden (LPD-5) during a personnel transfer operation in the Arabian Sea.
In May 2024, Greeneville changed her homeport from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, California, joining Submarine Squadron 11. This relocation aligns with the U.S. Navy’s strategic emphasis on the Indo-Pacific region, where a significant portion of the submarine force is now based.
Naval Station Pearl Harbor
Naval Station Pearl Harbor, now part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, is a critical hub for the U.S. Navy’s Pacific operations. The base hosts a variety of surface ships and submarines, each fulfilling essential roles in maritime security and defense. Among the surface vessels are Arleigh Burke-class destroyers like the USS Hopper and USS Michael Murphy, known for their advanced Aegis combat systems and multi-mission versatility. The USS Port Royal, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, adds air defense capabilities, often supporting carrier strike groups.
The submarine fleet at Pearl Harbor includes both Los Angeles-class and Virginia-class fast-attack submarines. These vessels, such as the USS Charlotte and USS Hawaii, are pivotal in undersea warfare, intelligence gathering, and maintaining a strategic deterrent.
