Key Points and Summary: The U.S. Navy’s unusual decision to disclose the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Tennessee operating in the Norwegian Sea, joined by the USS Normandy and a “doomsday” E-6B Mercury plane, demonstrates America’s readiness to deter adversary provocations.
-Such openness about stealthy “boomer” subs—normally hidden to preserve their strategic advantage—recalls the 2010 show of force against China in the Pacific. Russia’s recent naval moves in the Caribbean and Mediterranean likely prompted this firm response.
-By revealing the Tennessee’s location, the U.S. signals to Moscow and Beijing that American nuclear deterrence remains both flexible and firmly resolute in any global hotspot.
Ohio-Class USS Tennessee: Why America Revealed a ‘Boomer’ Sub to the World
The United States Navy raised some eyebrows back in June of last year when it disclosed the location of the Ohio-class submarine USS Tennessee (SSBN-734) operating in the Norwegian Sea, joined by the USS Normandy and maritime patrol aircraft, including an E-6B Mercury command post aircraft (“doomsday plane”).
The USS Tennessee is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine that has been in commission since December 1988.
This action by the Navy was notable because the United States traditionally never announced the locations of its ballistic missile submarines. The subs, called “boomers,” were designed to remain underwater for months at a time, using stealth so that potential enemies would never know where they were or where they could strike.
Boomers could also come stealthily close to an enemy’s shore and deliver Special Operations maritime forces (Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets) to conduct operations. But this move, a few months ago, was not without precedent.
Why Has The Navy Released Locations Of its Boomers?
The Navy keeps the locations of its submarines hidden for a reason. The fast attack guided missile submarines (SSGNs), and the SSBNs (boomers) that fire nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles (SSBNs) are the service’s first-strike capability and defense.
Potential enemies never know where the boats are and can’t stop them from firing their missiles during war. Their stealth is their protection and a threat to our enemies, especially since boomers carry 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
But sometimes, the Navy sends a direct message to its adversaries to remind them of the stakes if the US perceives that a particular nation is acting too provocatively.
Sending a Message to China
In 2010, the Chinese Navy was provocatively testing ballistic missiles in the East China Sea. The Navy decided that a show of force was necessary to demonstrate that US Naval power was watching.
In a not-so-subtle move, the Navy simultaneously surfaced three Ohio-class guided missile submarines in strategic locations in the Pacific. The USS Ohio surfaced in Subic Bay, Philippines. The USS Michigan then surfaced in South Korea around Pusan. Finally, the USS Florida appeared in the Indian Ocean near the US base on Diego Garcia.
The US released a message at the time that the emergence of the boomers was merely a coincidence—not at all. The message didn’t escape Chinese attention, but their response wasn’t an overreaction and reflected that the message was received.
Baodong Wang, then the spokesman for the Chinese embassy, said, “At present, common aspirations of countries in the Asian and Pacific regions are seeking for peace, stability, and regional security. We hope the relevant US military activities will serve for the regional peace, stability, and security, and not the contrary.”
Russian Navy Gets The Same Treatment
In June 2024, Russian Navy ships made a rare port-of-call in Havana, Cuba. The guided-missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov, the Yasen-M-class nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine Kazan, the replenishment tanker Academic Pashi, and the tug boat Nikolay Chiker all stopped in the Caribbean, sending a message to the US at a time when they sensed a weak United States, given the negative press President Biden had been receiving.
Russia also conducted Mediterranean drills with the guided missile cruiser Varyag. According to the Russian Navy, the drills focused on repelling a mass sea drone attack and simulated engagements with an enemy vessel and a submarine.

Ohio-Class SSGN. Image Credit: U.S. Navy.
The Varyag, the flagship of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, operated far from home. It made a port-of-call stop in the Libyan city of Tobruk, where it conducted drills with the Egyptian Navy. This was a bold, calculated move by Putin as he was trying to build up some of his Navy’s prestige after so many disastrous setbacks with his Black Sea Fleet.
In a tit-for-tat move late in June, the United States showed Russia that the Navy could operate in its backyard, too. The US 6th Fleet posted on X to announce that the USS Tennessee (SSBN-734) was operating in the Norwegian Sea.
The nuclear-powered and armed sub was joined by the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) and P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. In addition, an E-6B Mercury strategic communications plane was also reported to be flying over ahead.
The E-6B is an aircraft protected against electromagnetic pulses. Its electrical systems are designed to support advanced electronics and various communications equipment. Nuclear and thermal effects shielding also protects the aircraft in a doomsday scenario.
The USS Tennessee is a key component in the US nuclear triad and a nuclear deterrent. The fact that the boomer was co-located with the “Doomsday” plan sent a stern message to Moscow, especially given the Russians’ recent nuclear posturing.
The Ohio-class subs follow the old Teddy Roosevelt adage, “Walk softly, and carry a big stick.” In this case, 154 big sticks.

SOUDA BAY, Greece (May 21, 2013) The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728), gold crew, arrives in Souda harbor. Florida is homeported in Kings Bay, Ga., and is deployed conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley/Released) 130521-N-MO201-047
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in other military publications.

Nathan
January 15, 2025 at 1:13 pm
Only 4 Ohio class subs have been converted to carry 154 conventional Tomahawk cruise missiles. The rest are armed with 20 Trident II nuclear ballistic missiles.