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| United States Navy Submarine Force (Pacific Fleet) | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | United States Navy Submarine Force (Pacific Fleet) |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Submarine force |
| Role | Sea control, strategic deterrence, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence |
| Command structure | United States Pacific Fleet |
| Garrison | Pearl Harbor, Bremerton, Washington |
| Equipment | USS Ohio (SSGN-726), USS Virginia (SSN-774), USS Los Angeles (SSN-688) |
| Notable commanders | Hyman G. Rickover, Chester W. Nimitz, Charles A. Lockwood |
United States Navy Submarine Force (Pacific Fleet) The United States Navy Submarine Force (Pacific Fleet) is the Pacific-based submarine component of the United States Navy assigned to United States Pacific Fleet responsibilities across the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and adjacent littorals. It fields strategic ballistic missile submarines, attack nuclear submarines, guided-missile submarine conversions, and allied-capacity forward-deployed units supporting deterrence, maritime security, and wartime undersea operations. The force interfaces with combatant commands such as United States Indo-Pacific Command and partners including Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Navy, and Republic of Korea Navy.
The Pacific submarine force traces institutional roots to early 20th-century developments like the Bureau of Construction and Repair, Admiral George Dewey-era expansions, and interwar programs that produced classes such as the B-class submarine and R-class submarine. During World War II, commanders like Charles A. Lockwood and Richard H. O'Kane directed campaigns from bases at Pearl Harbor, Cavite Navy Yard, and Midway Atoll, executing patrols that contributed to the Battle of the Pacific and the blockade of Imperial Japanese Navy logistics including actions tied to the Battle of the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf. Postwar shifts saw involvement in the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Cold War nuclear deterrence era shaped by figures such as Hyman G. Rickover and platforms like USS Nautilus (SSN-571). The force adapted through the Reagan naval expansion, the end of the Cold War, and into 21st-century challenges including operations during the War on Terror and exercises under initiatives such as RIMPAC.
Command authority flows through United States Pacific Fleet to numbered flotillas and squadrons including Submarine Squadron 1 (COMSUBRON 1), Submarine Squadron 7, and Submarine Group 9 in coordination with shore commands like Commander, Naval Submarine Forces and staff elements at Naval Station Pearl Harbor and Naval Base Kitsap. Operational tasking often integrates with United States Seventh Fleet and United States Third Fleet headquarters, and liaison offices with strategic partners such as NATO components during joint activities. Logistics and personnel coordination interact with institutions including Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, and training authorities such as Naval Submarine School.
Pacific Fleet submarines have included Cold War and modern classes: diesel examples from the Gato-class and Balao-class to nuclear types like Skipjack-class submarine, Los Angeles-class submarine, Seawolf-class submarine, and Virginia-class submarine. Strategic deterrent capability has been sustained by the Ohio-class submarine (SSBN) family and guided-missile conversions like Ohio-class SSGN conversions. Weapons and systems draw on technologies from programs such as Tomahawk (missile), Trident II (D5) SLBM, AN/BSY-2 combat systems, and sensor suites derived from AN/BQQ-5 sonar families. Undersea warfare missions include anti-submarine warfare using tactics influenced by doctrine from Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Command, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance supporting National Reconnaissance Office and Defense Intelligence Agency collections, and special operations support for units like Naval Special Warfare Command and Special Operations Command Pacific.
Key Pacific homeports include Naval Base Kitsap at Bremerton, Washington and Pearl Harbor on Oahu, with forward-deployed assets at Yokosuka in Japan and rotational detachments in Guam and Apra Harbor. Shipyard, maintenance, and nuclear-support facilities operate at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility locations, and the Trident Refit Facility; support infrastructure involves agencies such as Defense Logistics Agency and shore installations like Naval Station Everett.
Pacific Fleet submarines conduct patrols, deterrent patrols, freedom of navigation operations, and multinational exercises including recurring participation in RIMPAC, Malabar (naval exercise), and bilateral training with the Indian Navy. Deployments have supported contingencies such as Operation Iraqi Freedom and maritime security missions against threats like piracy off Somalia coordinated with Combined Task Force 151. Tasking also includes signals intelligence collection related to events like the North Korea–United States relations crises and presence missions around contested features such as the South China Sea and Spratly Islands.
Training pipelines involve Naval Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut for enlisted and officer instruction, advanced tactical training at Submarine Learning Center, and carrier-strike integration exercises with Carrier Strike Group 1. Nuclear propulsion training aligns with programs established by Hyman G. Rickover and institutions like the Nuclear Power School, while maintenance cycles use availabilities scheduled at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and private shipyards contracted through General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries.
Historic incidents include wartime sinkings during World War II such as losses attributed to engagements around Truk Lagoon, Cold War collisions like the 1968 USS Scorpion (SSN-589) loss and mishaps involving USS Thresher (SSN-593). Peacetime events have included accidents during trials and operations resulting in investigations by boards with ties to Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps and outcomes affecting doctrine, safety standards promulgated by Naval Sea Systems Command, and legislation overseen by United States Congress committees on armed services.
Category:United States Navy submarine squadrons Category:Military units and formations of the United States Navy