United States submarine force

United States submarine force. The submarine force of the United States Navy, often called "The Silent Service," is a principal component of the nation's sea power and strategic deterrence. Operating a fleet of nuclear-powered ballistic missile and attack submarines, it provides persistent, survivable nuclear strike capability, anti-submarine warfare dominance, and a wide array of covert missions. Its history, rooted in the early 20th century, has been defined by technological innovation and critical roles in conflicts from World War II to the Cold War and beyond.

History

The force traces its origins to the 1900 acquisition of the USS *Holland*, the Navy's first modern submarine. Its combat significance emerged decisively during World War II, where *Gato*-class and *Balao*-class boats executed a devastating commerce raiding campaign against the Imperial Japanese Navy, crippling Japanese merchant shipping in the Pacific War. The post-war era saw revolutionary advances with Admiral Hyman G. Rickover's development of naval nuclear propulsion, leading to the 1954 launch of USS *Nautilus*, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. This technological leap enabled the *George Washington*-class to carry the Polaris submarine-launched ballistic missile, establishing the nuclear triad's most survivable leg during the Cold War. Key confrontations included the Cuban Missile Crisis and covert operations against the Soviet Navy.

Organization

The force is administratively organized under the command of the Commander, Submarine Forces (COMSUBFOR), a vice admiral headquartered at Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads. Operational command is divided between United States Pacific Fleet's Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor and United States Fleet Forces Command's Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet at Naval Submarine Base New London. The *Ohio*-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) are organized into two submarine squadrons, with their strategic mission directed by the United States Strategic Command. The *Los Angeles*-class, *Seawolf*-class, and *Virginia*-class attack boats are assigned to various squadrons under the numbered fleets, such as the Sixth Fleet and Seventh Fleet.

Submarine classes

The current fleet consists of three primary classes. The *Ohio*-class serves in two configurations: as SSBNs armed with Trident II SLBMs for strategic deterrence, and as guided-missile submarines (SSGNs), converted to carry up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles and support SEAL teams. The attack submarine force is led by the multi-mission *Virginia*-class, which is replacing the older *Los Angeles*-class as the backbone of the fleet. The high-speed, deep-diving *Seawolf*-class, designed during the late Cold War, remains in service for specialized missions. The future *Columbia*-class SSBN is under development to replace the *Ohio*-class beginning in the 2030s.

Missions and capabilities

Primary missions include strategic deterrence through continuous at-sea SSBN patrols, a concept known as Continuous At-Sea Deterrence. Attack submarines conduct sea denial, anti-submarine warfare against threats like the Russian Navy's *Akula*-class or the People's Liberation Army Navy's *Type 093*, and anti-surface warfare. They provide land attack capability with Tomahawk missiles, as demonstrated during operations in Iraq and Syria. Covert intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), special operations forces delivery, and mine warfare are other critical roles. Advanced capabilities are enabled by systems like the AN/BQQ-10 sonar suite, AN/BLY-1 torpedo countermeasures, and future integration of unmanned underwater vehicles.

Personnel and training

Submariners are all volunteers and undergo a rigorous selection and training pipeline. Officers, often graduates of the United States Naval Academy or Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, complete Nuclear Power School and prototype training at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command and sites like S1W or NRF Charleston. Enlisted sailors attend Basic Enlisted Submarine School and "A" schools for technical ratings before nuclear training. Qualification in Submarine Warfare (earning "dolphins") is a demanding process requiring mastery of all shipboard systems. The force is supported by the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory and the Naval Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut.

Bases and infrastructure

Major operational bases include Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia, which hosts the Atlantic SSBN/SSGN fleet and is home to the Trident Refit Facility, and Naval Base Kitsap in Washington, supporting Pacific SSBNs and attack submarines at Bangor. Key attack submarine hubs are Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut, the force's original home, and Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Strategic weapons are maintained and supported by facilities like the Strategic Weapons Facility, Pacific. Major construction and overhaul are performed by General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut and Quonset Point, Rhode Island, and Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. Virginia (U.S. Virginia|Virginia.