U.S. Navy Submarines and Foreign Port Visits: Understanding the Secrecy and Strategy Behind Their Expeditions

The question of how often U.S. Navy submarines make visits to foreign ports has long been a topic of interest, partly due to the unique operational requirements and security measures that govern these underwater vessels. Unlike surface ships, submarines are designed for stealth, covert operations, and maintaining operational secrecy, making their foreign port calls a rare and considered occurrence.

Why Fewer Foreign Port Visits for Submarines?

The primary reason that U.S. Navy submarines make fewer foreign port visits than their surface counterparts is the necessity for maintaining a low profile. Their design and method of operation inherently demand a level of secrecy to ensure their missions can remain undetected. This is crucial for a wide range of strategic and diplomatic objectives, such as strengthening alliances, conducting joint exercises, and engaging in community outreach programs.

When U.S. submarines do visit foreign ports, these visits are often strategically planned and limited in both number and duration. Certain theaters, such as the Pacific and European regions, see more frequent visits, but these are still carefully orchestrated to protect operational security. For instance, submarines might dock at allied nations in these regions, but their presence is often kept discreet to avoid drawing unwanted attention. These visits are generally focused on specific missions or engagements, ensuring that they are as covert as possible.

Security Measures Post-9/11

Following the events of September 11, 2001, security measures for all naval vessels, including submarines, were significantly enhanced. This heightened security concern led to a notable reduction in the number of foreign port visits, particularly for those submarines equipped with ballistic missiles carrying nuclear weapons.

Immediately after the 9/11 attacks, ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) virtually ceased making foreign port calls, except in U.S. ports or their home ports such as Kings Bay, Georgia, or Bangor, Washington. Even benign ports such as Halifax, Nova Scotia, which had been a common stop for SSBNs, were no longer frequented. While there have been a few exceptions, such as my submarine making a rare visit to Faslane, Scotland, in 2003, and a limited number of submarines visiting Rota, Spain, these instances are significantly uncommon.

Attack Submarines and Their Port Calls

While attack submarines (SSNs) continued to make foreign port calls, these visits also saw a rise in security measures. The increased risk and heightened awareness necessitated a more cautious approach to selecting ports of call. The USS Cole bombing, which occurred about a year before 9/11, had already set a precedent for increased security protocols, with more stringent reviews of potential ports of call following both the Cole attack and the 9/11 events. Ports that were deemed adequately secure had to justify their inclusion on the list of acceptable destinations for U.S. Navy submarines.

Conclusion

To conclude, U.S. Navy submarines make less frequent foreign port visits due to stringent security and operational secrecy requirements. These visits, when they occur, are carefully planned and limited to maintain the confidentiality and effectiveness of their missions. The impact of the 9/11 attacks underscored the need for even greater vigilance and security, leading to further reductions in the number of overseas stops for both SSBNs and SSNs. The strategic and covert nature of their operations ensures that U.S. submarines remain a cornerstone of naval power while operating under a keen eye for secrecy and security.