Japanese Submarine Sinks USS Juneau in Pacific Drill, Ending 57-Year-Old Warship
Updated
Updated · NavyTimes.com · Jun 30
Japanese Submarine Sinks USS Juneau in Pacific Drill, Ending 57-Year-Old Warship
3 articles · Updated · NavyTimes.com · Jun 30
Summary
More than 200 nautical miles off the Mariana Islands, the decommissioned USS Juneau was sunk in a SINKEX during the June 22-July 1 Valiant Shield exercise.
A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine delivered the torpedo strike, which the U.S. Navy said helped allied forces sharpen cross-domain precision and coordination for high-end Pacific operations.
Valiant Shield brings together the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada and New Zealand in biennial training focused on detecting, tracking and engaging targets across sea, air, land, space and cyberspace.
Commissioned in 1969, the Austin-class amphibious transport dock served in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm before its 2008 decommissioning and storage at Pearl Harbor.
Before any SINKEX, the Navy says target ships undergo environmental cleanup, including removal of PCBs, petroleum, trash and other hazardous materials, followed by on-site inspection.
Beyond sinking one ship, how are Pacific allies building a security network to counter China's creeping expansion?
How does a stealth bomber's first naval strike reshape maritime deterrence against fleets like China's?
With allies showcasing advanced weapons, what vulnerabilities might China's gray-zone tactics still exploit in a real conflict?
USS Juneau SINKEX 2026: B-2 Stealth Bomber and LRASM Showcase Allied Power in Valiant Shield Exercise
Overview
On June 27, 2026, the USS Juneau was intentionally sunk during Valiant Shield 2026, a major multinational military exercise. This live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) brought together joint forces to enhance interoperability and readiness. The operation featured a coordinated strike: an F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from the USS George Washington and a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber fired an advanced AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Cruise Missile at the Juneau. Careful preparations by U.S. Airmen ensured the success of the mission, demonstrating the power of integrated air and naval operations in realistic training.