U.S. warship was given order to prepare for possible strike against N. Korea

Whilst on patrol in the Sea of Japan last month, a U.S. Navy warship received a warning order, or WARNO, to prepare for a possible Tomahawk cruise missile strike on North Korea, Foreign Policy disclosed on Oct. 18.

By U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Thomas Lynaugh. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Former defense officials that the publication spoke to cautioned that the order did not mean Washington is preparing to take military action against Pyongyang.

Rather, commanders were preparing for a quick-response should a conflict arise.