Commander, Submarine Group Two

Commander, Submarine Group Two
Unit name	Commander, Submarine Group Two
Dates	Cold War–21st century
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Submarine command
Role	Submarine force administration and operational control
Garrison	Norfolk, Virginia
Garrison label	Headquarters
Commander1 label	Last commander
Identification symbol label	Insignia

Commander, Submarine Group Two

Commander, Submarine Group Two was a major United States Navy submarine command headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, responsible for the administration, training, and operational control of Atlantic Fleet attack and ballistic missile submarines. The command operated within the framework of United States Atlantic Fleet, coordinating with NATO allies and United States Joint Forces such as United States Fleet Forces Command and United States European Command. Its role intersected with strategic initiatives involving submarine warfare, undersea surveillance, and ballistic deterrence during the Cold War and post–Cold War eras.

History

Established during the Cold War as part of the expansion of United States submarine forces, the command oversaw operations influenced by planners and leaders associated with figures like Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, and Admiral Arleigh Burke. Its development paralleled programs involving USS Nautilus (SSN-571), USS George Washington (SSBN-598), and classes such as Los Angeles-class submarine, Ohio-class submarine, and Seawolf-class submarine. The command's activities were framed by events including the Cuban Missile Crisis, Operation Desert Storm, and NATO operations during the Bosnian War. It coordinated with institutions such as the Naval Submarine School, Submarine Force Atlantic, Naval Station Norfolk, and policy documents debated in venues like the United States Congress and the National Security Council (United States). During the post–Cold War drawdown and subsequent force realignments driven by the Goldwater-Nichols Act, the command adapted to missions influenced by technologies from contractors like General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding and intelligence platforms such as SOSUS arrays. Shifts in strategy under secretaries including John F. Lehman Jr. and Donald Rumsfeld affected force posture and basing agreements with NATO partners including the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Spain.

Organization and Responsibilities

The command reported to higher echelons such as United States Atlantic Fleet and coordinated operationally with NATO Allied Command Transformation and Allied Command Operations. Responsibilities included readiness inspections derived from standards set by Chief of Naval Operations, tactical development influenced by doctrines like the Maritime Strategy (1980s), crew training in cooperation with the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command and Naval Reactors oversight, and logistics support involving supply chains tied to Military Sealift Command and regional facilities such as Naval Station Mayport. Administrative authorities engaged with legal frameworks like the Uniform Code of Military Justice and personnel systems administered by Navy Personnel Command. The command also interfaced with research organizations like Office of Naval Research and academic institutions including United States Naval Academy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Johns Hopkins University for sonar, acoustic, and weapons research.

Subordinate Units and Commands

Subordinate elements included attack submarine squadrons and ballistic missile submarine squadrons, with units drawn from assets such as Submarine Squadron 2 (SUBRON 2), Submarine Squadron 6 (SUBRON 6), and training detachments aligned with Submarine Development Squadron 12. Assigned platforms encompassed USS Los Angeles (SSN-688), USS Dallas (SSN-700), USS Norfolk (SSN-714), and ballistic missile platforms like USS Tennessee (SSBN-734). The command coordinated with support commands including Naval Submarine Base New London, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, and maintenance facilities at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for overhauls and refits. It worked alongside specialized units such as Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System, Undersea Warfare Development Center, and intelligence entities like Naval Intelligence and Office of Naval Intelligence.

Notable Commanders

Commanders included flag officers who had careers connected to notable leaders and institutions such as Admiral John J. Hyland Jr., officers who served in joint billets with United States European Command or United States Northern Command, and commanders later associated with posts at NATO headquarters or the Pentagon. Several commanders had backgrounds linked to programs stewarded by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover or education from United States Naval Academy and Naval War College. Exchange and liaison relationships brought interactions with counterparts from Royal Navy and commanders with affiliations to awards like the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit.

Operations and Deployments

Operations included Atlantic deterrent patrols during the Cold War that involved deployments to patrol areas tracked by NATO anti-submarine efforts and influenced by incidents such as interactions with Soviet Navy units. Deployments supported operations including Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom through intelligence, covert support, and strike support derived from submarine-launched cruise missiles like the Tomahawk (missile). Exercises and collaborations included Exercise Bold Monarch, Operation Ocean Venture, and combined training with NATO allies such as the Royal Navy, French Navy, and Royal Netherlands Navy. The command contributed to undersea surveillance and anti-submarine warfare exercises involving platforms like P-3 Orion, P-8 Poseidon, and assets from Carrier Strike Group elements.

Insignia and Traditions

Insignia and traditions drew on heraldry used across the United States Navy, with emblems reflecting submarine heritage seen in badges like the Submarine Warfare insignia and ceremonial practices grounded in events such as Change of Command ceremonies and Fleet Week appearances. Morale traditions intersected with naval culture at institutions such as Naval Submarine League events, memorial observances at the United States Navy Memorial, and reunions involving crews from historic submarines including USS Thresher (SSN-593) and USS Scorpion (SSN-589). Flags, pennants, and honors followed protocols established by Naval History and Heritage Command and Navy precedent for unit awards.

Category:United States Navy submarine squadrons