USS Topeka set for decommissioning in Bremerton

By Britney Fletcher-West Kitsap News Group • January 1, 2025 1:30 am
Lt. Zachary Anderson courtesy photo The USS Topeka, a 362-foot-long submarine, has supported naval operations across the Indo-Pacific region for over 35 years.
Lt. Zachary Anderson courtesy photo The USS Topeka, a 362-foot-long submarine, has supported naval operations across the Indo-Pacific region for over 35 years.

The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Topeka will be decommissioned at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton after arriving last month.

Commissioned on Oct. 21, 1989, the Topeka is the oldest such submarine in the U.S. Pacific Fleet and the fourth Navy vessel named after Kansas’ state capital. The 362-foot-long sub with a beam of 33 feet has supported naval operations across the Indo-Pacific region for over 35 years.

During a recent seven-month deployment, the Topeka conducted a range of missions, including anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, and participated in exercises with allied forces from Australia, Japan and South Korea. The sub also made port calls in Yokosuka, Japan, and visited U.S. Naval Base Guam, strengthening partnerships in the region. 46 sailors aboard the Topeka earned their submarine warfare “dolphins” during the deployment, signifying their full qualification as submariners. The crew includes approximately 130 enlisted sailors and 17 officers.

The Topeka is known for its ability to support a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance, and strike warfare. The Navy uses the Ship-Submarine Recycling Program to dispose of decommissioned nuclear vessels.

Last January, Topeka held a change of command ceremony in Hawaii, where Cmdr. Chris Clevenger of Palos Verdes, California, took command, relieving Cmdr. James Fulks of Oklahoma City. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam became its homeport instead of Guam Dec. 15, 2020.

As one of 19 vessels slated for inactivation this year, the Topeka is part of the Navy’s modernization efforts. The sub is somewhat of a celebrity. It was part of the movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the TV series 24, the series Surface and was in the documentary Submarines: Sharks of Steel.

To honor the crew’s arrival in the Pacific Northwest, the Naval League of the US Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council will have a reception Jan. 17 at 5 p.m. at the Horse and Cow Pub & Grill. The event will bring together the Topeka’s crew, local military personnel and members of the civilian community.