Key Takeaways
- The rare port call of a US Ohio‑class ballistic missile submarine (likely USS Alaska) to Gibraltar highlighted the territory’s strategic value for American power projection.
- Ohio‑class submarines are a cornerstone of the U.S. nuclear triad, carrying up to 20 Trident II D5 missiles each, and their locations are normally concealed for survivability.
- The visible deployment served multiple purposes: signaling resolve to Iran, reminding Spain of Gibraltar’s British status, and reinforcing the depth of the US‑UK special relationship.
- Gibraltar’s tiny size belies its outsized geopolitical role; its position at the Atlantic‑Mediterranean choke point has made it a vital naval hub since the early years of the United States.
- Historical uses—from the Barbary Wars and the Great White Fleet to World War II’s Operation Torch—demonstrate uninterrupted Anglo‑American cooperation on the Rock.
- Contemporary tensions with Spain over airspace and defense spending underscore why continued access to Gibraltar remains essential for U.S. operations in the Middle East and beyond.
- The submarine visit is a modern echo of a long‑standing partnership, affirming that Gibraltar’s “British forever” status under the Treaty of Utrecht still serves American interests today.
Introduction: A High‑Profile Submarine Stop
Earlier this month, a U.S. Ohio‑class ballistic missile submarine—reportedly the USS Alaska—made a conspicuous port call to Gibraltar. While U.S. submarines occasionally dock in British overseas territories, the visibility of an Ohio‑class vessel is unusual because these platforms are deliberately kept hidden to preserve their deterrent value. The public nature of the stop turned what might have been a routine logistics visit into a notable signal on the world stage.
Ohio‑Class Submarines and the Nuclear Triad
Ohio‑class submarines form the sea‑based leg of America’s nuclear triad. Each boat can carry as many as twenty Trident II D5 missiles, granting them the ability to deliver a devastating retaliatory strike anywhere on the globe. Their strategic worth hinges on stealth; adversaries must be unable to locate them reliably. Consequently, the navy guards the precise whereabouts of these boats as closely guarded secrets, making any public appearance a deliberate choice rather than an accident.
Strategic Messaging: Iran, Spain, and the US‑UK Bond
Analysts quickly speculated that the Gibraltar visit was intended to send messages on two fronts. First, a show of force near the Mediterranean could remind Iran of U.S. resolve amid ongoing tensions over its nuclear program. Second, the stop underscored to Spain— which continues to claim Gibraltar as its own—that the Rock remains firmly under British sovereignty and, by extension, available to American forces. Beyond these immediate signals, the visit highlighted the enduring strength of the US‑UK special relationship, demonstrating that Washington still trusts London’s facilities for its most sensitive assets.
Historical Roots of the Anglo‑American Partnership
The notion of a “special relationship” between the United States and Britain traces back to Winston Churchill’s 1946 “Sinews of Peace” speech, in which he advocated joint use of military bases worldwide. Eighty years later, the Ohio‑class stop at Gibraltar exemplifies how that idea remains operative. The early American republic already recognized the Rock’s utility, setting a precedent for continued cooperation that has persisted through successive conflicts and strategic shifts.
Gibraltar’s Geographic Edge
Despite covering only 2.7 square miles and housing roughly 35,000 residents, Gibraltar punches far above its weight in geopolitical terms. Known as “The Rock,” it sits at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, commanding the narrow gateway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. On a clear day, observers can glimpse the North African coast, underscoring its role as a natural choke point that any naval power seeking to move between these waters must navigate.
From Moorish Rule to British Sovereignty
The area’s history explains its current status. Captured from the Moors by Spain in 1462, Gibraltar remained under Spanish control until the War of the Spanish Succession. In 1704, an Anglo‑Dutch‑Catalan force seized the Rock, and the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht formally ceded it to Great Britain “forever, without any exception or impediment whatsoever.” This legal foundation has endured despite repeated Spanish attempts to reclaim the territory.
Gibraltarian Identity and Spanish Claims
Even though Britain has held Gibraltar longer than Spain ever did, Madrid has persistently pursued its return through military pressure, diplomatic initiatives, and economic coercion—including a blockade that lasted into the early 1980s. Crucially, the local population has consistently affirmed its British identity. In successive referenda, Gibraltarians have overwhelmingly rejected Spanish sovereignty, reinforcing the territory’s political reality and complicating any Spanish effort to alter its status.
Early U.S. Naval Use: Barbary Wars and Beyond
The United States began leveraging Gibraltar’s strategic location almost immediately after its independence. During the First Barbary War (1801‑1805), the Rock served as a forward base for U.S. Navy operations against piracy off the North African coast. It reprised this role in the Second Barbary War of 1815. Later, Admiral George Dewey stopped at Gibraltar in 1899 to resupply after the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish‑American War, and the Great White Fleet made its final overseas stop there in 1909 before returning home.
World War I: Convoy Assembly Point
When the United States entered World War I in 1917, Gibraltar became a crucial assembly point for Allied convoys preparing to cross the Atlantic. An Anglo‑American naval force stationed on the Rock helped thwart German U‑boats attempting to slip between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, thereby safeguarding vital supply lines to Europe.
World War II: Fortress and Launchpad for Operation Torch
During World War II, Gibraltar transformed into an impregnable Allied fortress. Its defenses were instrumental to Operation Torch, the 1942 Anglo‑American invasion of North Africa that opened a second front against the Axis powers. Throughout the war, the Rock provided a secure harbor, repair facilities, and intelligence hub that supported numerous Allied operations in the Mediterranean theater.
Cold War and Middle‑East Engagements
After 1945, Gibraltar continued to serve U.S. and NATO interests. During the Cold War, it monitored Soviet naval movements and offered a staging ground for forces destined for the Middle East. In subsequent decades, the Rock supported operations ranging from the Gulf Wars to counter‑terrorism missions, proving its adaptability to evolving security challenges.
Recent Strains with Spain and Their Implications
Contemporary friction between Washington and Madrid has renewed attention on Gibraltar’s importance. Spain’s refusal to permit U.S. military aircraft involved in Iran‑related operations to use Spanish airspace or bases highlighted limits on Madrid’s reliability as a partner. Additionally, Spain’s resistance to meeting NATO’s 5 percent defense‑spending target further signals divergent priorities. Had Gibraltar ever fallen under Spanish control, the United States would likely lack the same unfettered access it enjoys today—a scenario that continues to shape American strategic planning.
The Submarine Visit as a Continuation of Cooperation
The appearance of an Ohio‑class submarine at Gibraltar is therefore more than a one‑off publicity stunt; it is a tangible manifestation of a long‑standing pattern of Anglo‑American military collaboration. By choosing to display one of its most strategic assets at a British facility, the United States reaffirms that Gibraltar’s unique geographic advantage and the steadfast US‑UK bond remain essential components of its global power projection.
Conclusion: Gibraltar’s Enduring Strategic Value
In sum, Gibraltar’s diminutive size belies its outsized influence on international affairs. Its history—from early American naval engagements to pivotal World War II operations and modern deterrence patrols—demonstrates a consistent thread of reliance on the Rock’s location and the loyalty of its people. The recent Ohio‑class submarine visit underscores that, despite shifting geopolitical winds, the United States still depends on Gibraltar as a linchpin of its European and Mediterranean strategy, a dependence rooted in the enduring depth of the US‑UK special relationship.
About the Author
Luke Coffey is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, where his research concentrates on national security, foreign policy, Europe, Eurasia, NATO, and transatlantic relations. Prior to joining Hudson, he directed the Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies at the Heritage Foundation (2015‑2022) and served as the Margaret Thatcher fellow there (2012‑2015), focusing on US‑UK ties and NATO‑EU security dynamics. Earlier in his career, Coffey acted as a senior special adviser to the UK Ministry of Defence under Defence Secretary Liam Fox. His extensive background equips him to analyze the interplay of geography, alliances, and defense policy that places Gibraltar at the heart of American strategic thinking.