The United States Navy’s USS Minnesota (SSN-783) arrived at its homeport at Naval Base Guam earlier this week, completing its maiden patrol since becoming the sea service’s first forward-deployed Virginia-class fast attack submarine.
“This homecoming marks the successful completion of Minnesota’s first deployment from Guam,” said Cmdr. Jeffrey Cornielle, commanding officer of the USS Minnesota.
“The crew performed superbly while executing missions vital to the defense of the homeland and strengthening our alliances and partnerships. The experience they gained operating throughout the Western Pacific will shape Minnesota’s continued success for years to come. I am proud of every Sailor and deeply grateful to our families, whose strength and support made this deployment possible. From the North!”
Long Patrol, Few Details Provided
The United States Navy doesn’t generally announce or detail the specific patrol routes or the operating areas where its submarines have operated, even after the deployment. However, the service did confirm that during this year’s patrol, SSN-783 participated in the multinational exercise Valiant Shield 2026, which took place in late June and concluded on July 1, 2026. In addition, it was confirmed that the USS Minnesota made port visits to Okinawa and Sasebo, Japan.
“The Okinawa visit demonstrated the Navy’s ability to sustain undersea capabilities forward at a variety of locations throughout the Pacific,” the service added.
During the deployment, 20 enlisted sailors and two officers earned their submarine warfare insignia. Commonly known as the “dolphins” or the “fish,” the insignia signifies qualification to operate at the highest standards of the undersea force and reflects mastery of submarine systems, watch stations and mission execution.
“The Sailors aboard Minnesota represented the Navy with pride and professionalism, no matter the task,” said Master Chief Electronics Technician (Navigation) Joshua Garrett, Minnesota’s chief of the boat. “Every time a challenge stood before them, they answered the call with discipline, character and an unwavering commitment to one another. Their readiness and effectiveness were evident throughout this deployment, and I could not be prouder of what this crew accomplished.”
What Is Forward Deployed?
The USS Minnesota is one of several U.S. Navy vessels that are “forward-deployed,” meaning that it is permanently based at an overseas port closer to a potential conflict zone, rather than at a base within the United States mainland.
Naval Base Guam hosts several nuclear-powered forward-deployed fast-attack submarines under Submarine Squadron 15.
These include the Los Angeles-class boats USS Tucson (SSN-770), which only arrived at its new homeport on July 10, 2026; and USS Springfield (SSN-761).
Another Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine, the USS Jefferson City (SSN-759), was previously forward-deployed in Guam before transitioning to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
SSN-783 was sent to Guam as part of the U.S. Navy’s strategic laydown plan to boost warfighting readiness and to place more advanced capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
“Minnesota’s return marks a significant milestone for the Pacific Submarine Force and demonstrates the Navy’s ability to sustain and employ advanced Virginia-class capabilities in the Pacific,” explained Capt. Christopher Carter, commander, Submarine Squadron 15. “Operating from Guam, this crew demonstrated the readiness, endurance and advanced capabilities the Virginia-class platform brings to the strategic outpost in the Western Pacific.”
Since first arriving in Guam in November 2024, the USS Minnesota paid a visit to HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. The fast-attack boat also took part in at-sea operations in support of the Submarine Command Course and participated in Exercise Lungfish, a tactical development exercise between the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy. The nuclear-powered fast attack submarine also paid a visit to the port of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory in support of bilateral engagements.
Named For the North Star State (Not the River)
SSN-783 is the 10th Virginia-class nuclear-powered boat, and is only the second United States Navy vessel to be named for the North Star State.
The very first USS Minnesota, a wooden steam frigate that was launched in 1855, was actually named for the Minnesota River. The warship ran aground during the Battle of Hampton Roads in March 1862, and was badly damaged. That American Civil War engagement marked the first clash between so-called “ironclads.”
Later repaired, the frigate remained in service until being decommissioned and scrapped in 1898.
BB-22 was the fifth of six Connecticut-class pre-dreadnought battleships, and the first to honor the 32nd state. That USS Minnesota joined the Great White Fleet for its circumnavigation of the globe in 1908–1909. During World War I, the battleship was used as a training ship until it struck a German naval mine off the eastern coast of the United States. Repaired, BB-22 carried U.S. service members home from Europe after the war and was used again as a training ship until being decommissioned in 1921.
The current USS Minnesota was commissioned on September 7, 2013, in Norfolk, Virginia.