Japanese Submarine Torpedo Sinks U.S. Decommissioned Warship During Valiant Shield Exercise

The U.S. Navy's decommissioned Austin-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Juneau (LPD-10) was sunk during the ongoing Valiant Shield exercise in the Mariana Islands Range Complex, located more than 200 nautical miles off the coast of Guam. The sinking occurred on July 1 when a torpedo from a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine struck the vessel. This SINKEX (sinking exercise) was designed to enhance joint military capabilities and proficiency in high-end maritime operations within the Pacific theater.

Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5 and Task Force 70, emphasized that this exercise provided an invaluable opportunity for allied forces to integrate their skills across various domains, including air, sea, land, space, and cyberspace. Valiant Shield is a biennial training event involving the U.S., Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, aimed at improving real-world proficiency in detecting, tracking, and engaging enemy units.

The sinking of the USS Juneau holds historical significance, coming nearly 84 years after the first USS Juneau was sunk by a Japanese torpedo during World War II's Guadalcanal campaign. The current exercise serves as a stark reminder of past conflicts while also highlighting modern military cooperation between allied nations in the Indo-Pacific region.