6 days ago
Nuclear-Armed US Submarine Surfaces Near Europe
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A United States submarine armed with nuclear ballistic missiles recently operated in the North Atlantic Ocean near Portugal's Azores islands, the Navy confirmed to Newsweek.
The presence of USS Maryland, an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, coincided with the deployment of an E-6B Mercury aircraft—capable of communicating with nuclear-armed submarines. The Navy also confirmed to Newsweek the aircraft's presence in the region.
Why It Matters
While ballistic missile submarines are tasked with deterrent patrols and launching missiles if necessary, it has not been uncommon for the Navy to publicize their movements in recent years—including participating in exercises with other units and preparing for deployments.
What To Know
The U.S. Navy operates a fleet of 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, each capable of carrying up to 20 submarine-launched ballistic missiles armed with multiple nuclear warheads. The fleet is split between two home ports on the East and West Coasts.
CNN Portugal reported that a U.S. nuclear submarine arrived at the port of Praia da Vitória, on the island of Terceira in the Azores, on Sunday afternoon. The report, which described the visit as "extremely rare," identified the submarine as the Pacific-based USS Michigan.
Praia da Vitória is in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 944 miles west of mainland Portugal.
Commander Tim Gorman, U.S. Sixth Fleet spokesperson, told Newsweek that the submarine in question was the Maryland, not the Michigan. The Maryland—homeported in Kings Bay, Georgia—"operated in the vicinity of the Azores and conducted a brief stop for personnel."
It remains unclear whether the Maryland was conducting a patrol at the time. It and its sister ships normally spend 77 days underway at sea with either the Blue or Gold crew. This two-crew system maximizes the submarine's "strategic availability," according to the Navy.
This was not the first time the Navy simultaneously deployed a ballistic missile submarine and an E-6B aircraft in the Sixth Fleet's area of responsibility—a vast region that covers half the Atlantic Ocean and all of Europe—according to a map shown on the fleet's website.
Just over a year ago, on June 23, one of the Maryland's sister ships, USS Tennessee, was transiting on the surface in the Norwegian Sea while an E-6B aircraft flew overhead.
"It's certainly true that where Ohio [ballistic missile submarines] go, in general, an E-6B is usually not that far away," the specialist outlet The War Zone commented at the time.
The United States Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS "Maryland" returns to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, on May 26, 2022.
The United States Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS "Maryland" returns to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, on May 26, 2022.
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Xavier Saldana/U.S. Navy
Meanwhile, the Michigan, homeported in Bangor, Washington, is one of four Ohio-class guided-missile submarines. Originally armed with nuclear ballistic missiles, it was later converted to carry up to 154 cruise missiles, used for conventional land-attack missions.
Last December, the Navy awarded the crew of the Michigan for "extremely meritorious service" between October 2022 and January 2024, after completing three "missions vital to national security" that significantly enhanced warfighting readiness in the Western Pacific.
What People Are Saying
Commander Tim Gorman, U.S. Sixth Fleet spokesperson, told Newsweek: "These evolutions enhance the [ballistic missile submarine] force's resupply capabilities, strengthen cooperation between the United States and European Allies, and demonstrate U.S. capability, readiness, flexibility, and continuing commitment as part of NATO."
A U.S. Navy spokesperson told Newsweek: "The U.S. Navy can confirm that an E-6B Mercury aircraft did operate over the North Atlantic Ocean. We operate aircraft and vessels wherever international law allows and coordinate closely with allies and partners to address shared security concerns."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the U.S. military will disclose additional activities of its nuclear forces to demonstrate its deterrent capabilities, as other major nuclear-armed states—including Russia and China—continue to modernize and expand their arsenals.
