Highly Unusual Disclosure Made Of U.S. Ballistic Missile Submarine's Presence In Arabian Sea

U.S. Central Command has taken the extremely unusual step of disclosing the presence of a U.S. Navy Ohio class nuclear ballistic missile submarine in the Arabian Sea. The announcement was framed as a visit by the command's top officer, U.S. Army Gen. Michael Kurilla, to get a first-hand look at one of America's key capabilities operating in the region. However, it's hard not to see it as being a message intended for potential adversaries, such as Iran or Russia, as well as American allies and partners.

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Fifth Fleet and Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), joined Gen. Kurilla and members of his staff on their visit to USS West Virginia at an undisclosed location in the Arabian Sea, according to a press release Central Command (CENTCOM) put out earlier today. The release did not say how Kurilla, Cooper, and the others had gotten to the submarine or when specifically the visit occurred.

Link to tweet

"I was thoroughly impressed with the crew of the USS West Virginia; these sailors represent the highest level of professionalism, expertise, and discipline across the U.S. military,” Kurilla said in a statement. "These submarines are the crown jewel of the nuclear triad, and the West Virginia demonstrates the flexibility, survivability, readiness, and capability of USCENTCOM and USSTRATCOM [US Strategic Command] forces at sea."

U.S. Army Gen. Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, looks through a periscope during a visit aboard the Ohio class ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia. CENTCOM

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