The United States announced the arrival of the nuclear-powered submarine USS Georgia in the Persian Gulf on Monday, a notable development in a region where tension is on the rise.
None of these types of submarines, which are equipped with Tomahawk missiles, has traveled to the Persian Gulf in eight years, making it a significant ship movement.
The USS Georgia is an Ohio class guided-missile submarine, one of just four in the navy’s fleet. According to The Drive, the USS Georgia, equipped with up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, was flanked by two Ticonderoga class cruisers as it traveled through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most significant waterways for commerce in the world.
The photos also revealed a dry dock shelter mounted behind the Georgia’s sail. The dock is used primarily for deploying Seals under water.
The disclosure of the movement was likely meant as a show of force toward Iran, which is located in the Persian Gulf.
The USS Georgia was on the move in the Persian Gulf on Monday, the Navy announced in a rare disclosure of a vessel movement
The USS Georgia was seen traveling the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, flanked by two Ticonderoga-class vessels
The USS Georgia was traveling to the Persian Gulf, where it would be the first guided-missile submarine in eight years
‘USS Georgia is supporting routine maritime security operations in the region,’ said Navy Commander Rebecca Rebarich.
‘Georgia’s presence in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) demonstrates the U.S. Navy’s ability to sail and operate wherever international law allows,’ she continued.
‘As an inherently flexible maneuver force, capable of supporting routine and contingency operations, Georgia’s presence demonstrates the United States’ commitment to regional partners and maritime security with a full spectrum of capabilities to remain ready to defend against any threat at any time.’
The USS Georgia is equipped with up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, which can be fired at a land target 1,000 miles away
Up to 60 members of the Special Forces can also be on the USS Georgia at any time for surveillance and strategic attacks
The USS Georgia has been sent to the Persian Gulf by the navy to address tension rising with Iran in the Middle East
The Tomahawk cruise missiles contained by the USS Georgia – of which there can be up to 154 – can reach approximately 1,000 miles in any direction when launched, creating a wide target range for the submarine.
The ship can also hold up to 66 members of the Special Operations Forces.
The Georgia can be used to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance along the Iranian coastline as well as through the entire Persian Gulf while remaining shielded from adversaries.
If need be, the Georgia could use its Tomahawks to strike Iran or its proxies while staying hidden below the water’s surface. According to the Drive, any targets with a 1,000-mile circle around the boat would be within reach of its missiles.
The dry dock also could launch special operations teams to run raids or gather intelligence.
On Sunday night, eight rockets were fired towards the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, according to The Hill, which the United States is blaming on militia forces backed by Iran.
‘As Iraq struggles with COVID-19 and an increasingly dire economic crisis, Iran-backed militias are the most serious impediment to helping Iraq return to peace and prosperity,’ Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.
‘The same militias targeting diplomatic facilities are stealing Iraqi state resources on a massive scale, attacking peaceful protesters and activists, and engaging in sectarian violence.’
Several rockets were launched with the alleged backing of Iran on Sunday night. Pictured: An Iranian bombing from January
January 3 marks the one-year anniversary of the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani by the United States
Pictured: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaking during a press conference in Tehran last week
Iran has denied any responsibility for the rocket launches, which injured a civilian and an Iraqi troop.
Fears of new tensions with Iran have increased recently due to a significant assassination and an upcoming anniversary.
In November, Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated, which the country has blamed on Israel. Fakhrizadeh was believed to be the leader of Iran’s nuclear military nuclear problem.
January 3, meanwhile, marks the one-year anniversary of America’s drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. a death Iran has sworn to avenge.
The USS Georgia was launched in November 1982 and commissioned in February 1984. It earned its designation as a cruise missile submarine in 2004.
The Drive reports the USS Michigan, another cruise missile submarine, was used in a similar manner to the USS Georgia back in 2017 when it was sent to a port in South Korea as the United States and North Korea were ratcheting up tensions.