Commander, Submarine Forces

Commander, Submarine Forces is a senior United States Navy officer serving as the principal advisor and Type Commander for all submarine-related matters within the United States Fleet Forces Command. The command, headquartered at Naval Station Norfolk, is responsible for the manning, training, equipping, and certification of the United States Submarine Force. It ensures the operational readiness of the strategic and attack submarine fleets, overseeing forces that are critical to strategic deterrence, power projection, and maritime intelligence.

History

The origins of the command trace back to World War II, with the formal establishment of the Commander, Submarines, Atlantic Fleet (COMSUBLANT) in 1942 under then-Captain Freeland A. Daubin. Its counterpart, Commander, Submarines, Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC), was also active during the Pacific War, with notable leaders like Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood overseeing the highly successful submarine campaign against the Imperial Japanese Navy. Following the war, the advent of nuclear propulsion, pioneered by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, transformed the force. The commands were later unified under a single Type Commander structure, with the title evolving to Commander, Submarine Forces, aligning with the reorganization of the United States Atlantic Fleet into United States Fleet Forces Command. This consolidation reflected the growing importance of strategic nuclear deterrence during the Cold War, with submarines like the ''George Washington''-class becoming the cornerstone of the undersea leg of the nation's nuclear arsenal.

Organization

The command is organized under a three-star vice admiral and is a major component of United States Fleet Forces Command. Its staff includes numerous deputy and assistant chiefs of staff overseeing specific functional areas such as readiness, warfighting development, and reactor safety. The command directly supervises two major operational submarine forces: Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (SUBLANT) and Commander, Submarine Force Pacific (SUBPAC), each led by a two-star rear admiral. It also maintains close integration with the Naval Submarine Forces staff and coordinates with other unified combatant commands like United States Strategic Command and United States Indo-Pacific Command for global force allocation and mission tasking.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities encompass the total force management of the United States Submarine Force. This includes establishing and enforcing standards for tactical proficiency, engineering excellence, and strategic security. The command certifies crews for strategic deterrent patrols aboard ''Ohio''-class ballistic missile submarines and for deployed operations of ''Virginia''-class and ''Seawolf''-class attack submarines. It oversees the development of new tactics and technologies in concert with organizations like the Naval Undersea Warfare Center. Furthermore, the command is charged with the safety and surety of the Navy's nuclear weapons stockpile and the operational reliability of its reactor plants, adhering to strict protocols established by the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.

List of commanders

Commanders have historically been distinguished submariners who have held significant fleet and joint assignments. Notable past commanders include Admiral Frank B. Kelso II, who later served as the Chief of Naval Operations; Admiral Bruce DeMars, a former Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program; and Admiral James B. Busey IV, who also commanded the United States Sixth Fleet. The current commander is William J. Houston, who assumed the position in 2022 following assignments as Commander of Submarine Group 10 and Director of the Joint Staff. The position is considered a pivotal step for officers later selected for leadership roles within the United States Department of the Navy or The Pentagon.

Subordinate commands

The command exercises administrative and operational control (ADCON/OPCON) over a global network of subordinate activities. The primary forces are the aforementioned Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic, headquartered at Naval Submarine Base New London, and Commander, Submarine Force Pacific, headquartered at Naval Submarine Base Pearl Harbor. Other key subordinate units include Submarine Group 10 in Georgia, Submarine Group 9 in Washington, and the Undersea Warfighting Development Center in Connecticut. It also oversees training facilities like the Naval Submarine School and specialized units such as Submarine Squadron 16, which supports SSBN operations, and Submarine Development Squadron 5, focused on advanced undersea capabilities.

Category:United States Navy commands and units Category:Submarines of the United States