Japanese Submarine Sinks Decommissioned USS Juneau in Valiant Shield SINKEX
During the multinational Valiant Shield 2026 exercise (June 22–July 1), a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine sank the decommissioned U.S. Navy amphibious transport dock USS Juneau (LPD-10) with a torpedo over 200 nautical miles offshore in the Mariana Islands Range Complex. The SINKEX aimed to enhance joint and allied maritime proficiency, involving the U.S., Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The ship, which served from 1969 to 2008, was environmentally cleaned beforehand. Notably, a previous USS Juneau was also sunk by a Japanese submarine during WWII.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
US and Allies Sink USS Juneau in Pacific Training Exercise with Japanese Submarine
During the Valiant Shield 2026 exercise, the United States and its Pacific allies—including Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand—conducted a live-fire sinking (SINKEX) of the decommissioned amphibious transport dock USS Juneau (LPD-10). A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine struck the vessel with a torpedo, simulating realistic combat conditions. This event echoed the historical sinking of the first USS Juneau (CL-52) by a Japanese submarine in 1942 during World War II, which killed 687 sailors. The exercise, held over 200 nautical miles offshore in the Mariana Islands Range Complex, aimed to enhance coordinated warfighting across multiple domains. The USS Juneau (LPD-10) served from 1969 to 2008, participating in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. The event highlighted the transformation of U.S.-Japanese relations from wartime adversaries to close allies, as both nations train together to address emerging Pacific threats.
All Content from Business InsiderJapanese Submarines Sink USS Juneau for Second Time in Valiant Shield 2026 Exercise
The third USS Juneau (LPD-10), a decommissioned Austin-class amphibious transport dock, was sunk by an unidentified Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 in the Philippine Sea. This marks the second time a warship named for Juneau, Alaska, has been sunk by a Japanese submarine, the first being the Atlanta-class light cruiser USS Juneau (CL-52) sunk by Imperial Japanese Navy submarine I-26 during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942. LPD-10 is one of several retired US Navy warships scheduled for sinking in live-fire exercises (SINKEX) this year, including ex-USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) and ex-USS Peleliu (LHA-5) at RIMPAC 2026. The article provides historical context on the use of retired warships as targets, tracing the practice back to 1824 with French Navy's La Pacificateur and including US Navy tests led by General Billy Mitchell in 1923.
Forbes - BusinessJapanese torpedo sinks US Navy ship USS Juneau during Valiant Shield SINKEX exercise
During the Valiant Shield 2026 exercise, the decommissioned US Navy amphibious transport dock ship USS Juneau (LPD-10) was sunk by a torpedo from a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine in the Mariana Islands Range Complex, over 200 nautical miles off the coast. The sinking exercise (SINKEX) involved forces from the US, Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, aimed at enhancing joint maritime capabilities. The USS Juneau, which served in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, was decommissioned in 2008. The event occurred nearly 84 years after the original USS Juneau (CL-52) was sunk by a Japanese torpedo during the Guadalcanal campaign in 1942, a tragedy that killed the five Sullivan brothers. The Navy emphasized that the vessel underwent rigorous environmental cleaning before sinking, including removal of PCBs and petroleum products.
Navy TimesJapanese submarine torpedo sinks USS Juneau during Valiant Shield SINKEX exercise
During the multinational Valiant Shield exercise running from June 22 to July 1, 2026, the decommissioned U.S. Navy amphibious transport dock ship USS Juneau (LPD-10) was sunk more than 200 nautical miles off the coast in the Mariana Islands Range Complex. The sinking was achieved by a torpedo strike from a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine. The exercise, which involves the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, focuses on detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units across multiple domains. Rear Admiral Eric Anduze stated the SINKEX provided an opportunity to integrate capabilities and hone lethal precision for high-end maritime operations in the Pacific. The USS Juneau served from 1969 through the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm before being decommissioned in 2008. Prior to sinking, the vessel underwent rigorous environmental remediation to remove hazardous materials.
Defense NewsJapanese Torpedo Sends Decommissioned US Ship to Ocean Floor During Valiant Shield Exercise
On July 1, 2026, the decommissioned USS Juneau (LPD-10), an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, was sunk by a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine torpedo during a multinational sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of the Valiant Shield 2026 exercise. The event occurred over 200 nautical miles off the coast in the Mariana Islands Range Complex. Valiant Shield is a biennial field training exercise involving the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, designed to enhance joint force proficiency across domains. Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5, highlighted the value of the SINKEX for integrating capabilities. The exercise drew a poignant historical parallel: the first USS Juneau (CL-52) was famously sunk by a Japanese submarine torpedo during the Guadalcanal campaign in 1942, killing the five Sullivan brothers. The ship, commissioned in 1969 and decommissioned in 2008, was thoroughly cleaned of hazardous materials before sinking to comply with environmental standards.
Defense NewsJapanese torpedo sends US ship to the ocean floor during Valiant Shield exercise
During the Valiant Shield 2026 exercise (June 22-July 1), the decommissioned USS Juneau (LPD-10) was sunk by a torpedo from a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine in a SINKEX more than 200 nautical miles off the coast in the Mariana Islands Range Complex. The exercise involved the U.S., Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, focusing on joint maritime operations. The sinking occurred nearly 84 years after the first USS Juneau (CL-52) was sunk by a Japanese torpedo during the Guadalcanal campaign in 1942, which killed the five Sullivan brothers. The LPD-10 served from 1969 through the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, was decommissioned in 2008, and underwent rigorous environmental cleaning before the SINKEX. Rear Adm. Eric Anduze highlighted the exercise's value for integrating capabilities across domains.
Military TimesJapanese torpedo sinks US ship USS Juneau during Valiant Shield exercise
During the Valiant Shield exercise from June 22 to July 1, 2026, the decommissioned US Navy amphibious transport dock ship USS Juneau (LPD-10) was sunk by a torpedo from a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine. The sinking occurred more than 200 nautical miles off the coast in the Mariana Islands Range Complex. The exercise involved the US, Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, focusing on joint force proficiency across domains. Rear Adm. Eric Anduze highlighted the opportunity to integrate capabilities for high-end maritime operations. The article notes the historical parallel to the first USS Juneau, sunk by a Japanese torpedo in 1942 during the Guadalcanal campaign, which killed the five Sullivan brothers. The LPD-10 served from 1969 to 2008, including in Vietnam and Desert Storm. Prior to sinking, the vessel underwent rigorous environmental cleaning to remove hazardous materials.
Defense NewsJapanese torpedo sinks USS Juneau during Valiant Shield exercise
The decommissioned USS Juneau (LPD-10), an Austin-class amphibious transport dock ship that served in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, was sunk by a torpedo from a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine during a SINKEX (sinking exercise) as part of the Valiant Shield 2026 exercise. The sinking occurred more than 200 nautical miles off the coast in the Mariana Islands Range Complex. Valiant Shield is a biennial multinational field training exercise involving the U.S., Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, aimed at enhancing joint and combined maritime operations. Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5, highlighted the exercise's value in integrating capabilities across domains. The Navy stated the vessel underwent rigorous environmental cleaning, including removal of PCBs, petroleum, and other hazardous materials, before the sinking. The exercise ran from June 22 to July 1, 2026.
Navy TimesJapanese torpedo sends US ship to the ocean floor during Valiant Shield exercise
During the Valiant Shield 2026 exercise (June 22-July 1), the decommissioned US Navy amphibious transport dock ship USS Juneau (LPD-10) was sunk by a torpedo from a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine in the Mariana Islands Range Complex, more than 200 nautical miles offshore. The sinking exercise (SINKEX) aimed to enhance joint and allied proficiency in maritime operations. The USS Juneau, which served from 1969 to 2008 including in Vietnam and Desert Storm, was environmentally cleaned before sinking, per Navy procedures. The biennial exercise involves the US, Japan, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, focusing on multi-domain detection and engagement. Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5, highlighted the integration of capabilities across domains achieved through the SINKEX.
Military Times