Commander, Submarine Group Two

Commander, Submarine Group Two is a senior United States Navy command responsible for the readiness, training, and certification of submarine forces operating primarily in the Atlantic Ocean. Headquartered at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, the command reports to United States Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. It oversees a diverse force of nuclear-powered attack submarines, guided-missile submarines, and associated support activities, playing a critical role in undersea warfare and strategic deterrence.

History

The command's origins trace to the immediate post-World War II period, established in 1947 as part of the reorganization of the Atlantic Fleet. Its formation coincided with the dawn of the Cold War and the Navy's transition to nuclear propulsion, pioneered by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover. Throughout the Cold War, the group's submarines conducted vital intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions against the Soviet Navy, including operations near Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom Gap and in the Mediterranean Sea. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, its focus expanded to include counter-terrorism and special operations force support during the War on Terror, while maintaining its core deterrence mission.

Organization

The command is structured as an Echelon III headquarters under the operational control of United States Fleet Forces Command. Its staff is organized into traditional naval departments such as N1 (personnel), N3/N5 (operations and plans), and N4 (logistics), which coordinate directly with subordinate units. The command works closely with other major Atlantic commands including Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic and Naval Sea Systems Command to ensure platform readiness. Key supporting entities include the Submarine Squadron staffs and specialized undersea rescue and tactical development units that report directly to the group commander.

Responsibilities

Primary duties include the operational readiness and tactical certification of all assigned submarine forces, ensuring they meet Fleet Response Plan requirements. The command oversees the pre-deployment training cycle, including Composite Training Unit Exercises and Joint Task Force Exercises, often in coordination with the Naval Submarine School. It is responsible for the administrative control, logistics, and maintenance planning for its submarines, coordinating with Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The commander also serves as the Senior Officer Present Afloat for the Groton area and may assume duties as a Maritime Operations Center director for Atlantic Fleet exercises.

List of commanders

Commanders have historically been flag officers in the rank of Rear Admiral (lower half) or Captain (United States O-6). Early commanders included veterans of World War II Pacific War campaigns. Notable later commanders often had prior command of a Submarine Squadron or a ballistic missile submarine. The list of commanders includes officers who later achieved higher flag rank, contributing to major commands like United States Pacific Fleet and Allied Command Transformation within NATO. Succession is typically marked by a formal change of command ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London.

Subordinate units

The group's primary tactical subunits are its Submarine Squadrons, which provide direct oversight for individual boats. These have historically included Submarine Squadron 2, Submarine Squadron 4, and Submarine Squadron 6, among others. It also exercises operational control over guided-missile submarines equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Virginia-class submarines assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. Support units often include a Submarine Tender for intermediate maintenance, Mobile Diving and Salvage detachments, and elements of the Submarine Development Squadron for testing new sonar and weapons systems.

Category:Submarine groups of the United States Navy Category:United States Fleet Forces Command Category:Military units and formations established in 1947