On October 19th, General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, conducted a visit aboard the USS West Virginia at an undisclosed location at sea in international waters in the Arabian Sea. (U.S. Army)
On October 19, General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of the Unites States Central Command (CENTCOM) paid a rare visit to the USS West Virginia, an Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, at an undisclosed location at sea in international waters in the Arabian Sea.
West Virginia is one of six ballistic-missile submarines stationed at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia. The submarine is capable of carrying up to 24 Trident II D-5 ballistic missiles with multiple nuclear warheads.
On October 19th, General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, conducted a visit aboard the USS West Virginia at an undisclosed location at sea in international waters in the Arabian Sea. (U.S. Army)
On October 19th, General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, conducted a visit aboard the USS West Virginia at an undisclosed location at sea in international waters in the Arabian Sea. (U.S. Army)
In a statement, the CENTCOM said that Gen. Kurilla met with Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet and the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, during the visit. The commander also received a demonstration of the capabilities of the submarine, which operates globally under U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM).
“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,” said Kurilla. “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 forces at sea.”
Gen. Kurilla’s visit to the USS West Virginia came amid rising tensions with Iran, whom the U.S. recently accused of providing support for the ongoing Russian special military operation in Ukraine.
The visit also came as NATO began its long-planned annual nuclear exercises in northwestern Europe. Fourteen of NATO member countries are taking part in the exercises, which are conducted around the same time every year. The exercises involve fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads as well B-52 long-range bombers of the U.S. Air Force.
The U.S. rarely disclose the location of its nuclear submarines. Gen. Kurilla’s visit to the USS West Virginia was likely meant as a message to both Iran and Russia.
