Naval Submarine Base New London

Naval Submarine Base New London. Located on the Thames River in Groton, Connecticut, it is the primary United States Navy base for the Atlantic Fleet's submarine force and the nation's first dedicated submarine base. Often called "the Home of the Submarine Force," it serves as a major hub for training, maintenance, and operational support for nuclear submarines. The base is also the site of the Naval Submarine School, the sole training facility for the U.S. Submarine Force.

History

The area's military history dates to the American Revolutionary War, with land originally acquired for the New London Harbor defenses. In 1868, the United States Army established Fort Trumbull on the site. The U.S. Navy's association began in 1915 when the Electric Boat Company, founded by Isaac Rice and later led by John Philip Holland, built submarines nearby. Officially commissioned as a submarine base in 1916, it supported Allied submarine forces during World War I. Its significance grew dramatically during World War II, serving as a primary training and outfitting point for Gato-class and Balao-class submarines engaged in the Battle of the Atlantic. The base transitioned to the nuclear age with the arrival of the USS *Nautilus* (SSN-571), the world's first operational nuclear-powered submarine, in the 1950s.

Facilities and operations

The base encompasses over 500 acres and features one of the world's largest and most strategically located submarine support facilities. Its key infrastructure includes multiple deep-water piers capable of berthing Los Angeles-class and Virginia-class attack submarines. The Naval Submarine Support Facility provides comprehensive maintenance, logistics, and supply services. A major feature is the Submarine Escape Training Tower, used for teaching emergency ascent procedures. The base also hosts a state-of-the-art Magnetic Silencing Facility for degaussing vessels and a Trident Refit Facility for ballistic missile submarine maintenance. Its operations are supported by the adjacent Thames River and proximity to the Long Island Sound and Atlantic Ocean.

Tenant commands and units

As the U.S. Submarine Force's East Coast headquarters, the base hosts numerous high-level commands. The senior command is Commander, Submarine Group Two, which oversees assigned submarines and squadrons. Other major tenants include the Naval Submarine School, which trains all enlisted submariners and officers, and the Submarine Development Squadron 12, focused on tactical development and anti-submarine warfare. The Submarine Learning Center and the Navy Submarine Medical Research Laboratory are also located here. Operational squadrons such as Submarine Squadron 2 and Submarine Squadron 4 are homeported at the base, directly controlling multiple fast attack submarines. The Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound also maintains a presence.

Role in submarine development

The base has been central to nearly every major advance in American submarine warfare. It was the proving ground for early diesel-electric submarine technology developed by the Electric Boat Company and General Dynamics. The historic integration of the USS *Nautilus* cemented its role in the Nuclear Navy under the leadership of Admiral Hyman G. Rickover. It has since been pivotal in testing and integrating new systems for successive classes, including the Permit-class, Sturgeon-class, and modern Virginia-class boats. Research commands on base contribute directly to advancements in sonar, submarine-launched cruise missiles, and submarine communications.

Environmental and community relations

The base maintains an active environmental program to address legacy issues and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, working closely with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It participates in the National Priorities List cleanup program for former industrial sites. Community outreach is robust, with the base engaging in partnerships with the City of Groton and the State of Connecticut, hosting public tours for events like Navy Week and supporting local veterans' organizations. The adjacent Submarine Force Library and Museum, home to the USS *Nautilus*, serves as a major public gateway, educating visitors on naval history and technology.

Category:United States Navy bases Category:Submarine bases Category:Buildings and structures in New London County, Connecticut