COMSUBLANT

• Establishment: Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (COMSUBLANT) was established in 1941, just before the United States entered World War II, to coordinate the operations and training of Atlantic Fleet submarines. • World War II Role: During WWII, COMSUBLANT played a crucial role in the Battle of the Atlantic, primarily protecting Allied convoys from German U-boats and hunting enemy submarines. • First Submarine Force Commander: The first COMSUBLANT was Rear Admiral Richard S. Edwards, who oversaw the rapid expansion and modernization of the submarine force. • Home Base: COMSUBLANT is headquartered at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, which remains the largest naval base in the world. • Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines: In the 1960s, COMSUBLANT managed the introduction of the Polaris missile submarines (SSBNs), forming a key leg of the United States’ nuclear triad during the Cold War. • Submarine Rescue Operations: COMSUBLANT oversees submarine rescue capabilities and frequently conducts exercises to maintain crew and equipment readiness for deep-sea rescue missions. • Arctic Operations: Submarines under COMSUBLANT have conducted under-ice operations at the North Pole, including surfacing at the pole itself—a feat first achieved by USS Nautilus in 1958. • Operational Control: COMSUBLANT commands all Atlantic-based U.S. Navy attack submarines (SSNs) and ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), ensuring both peacetime presence and strategic deterrence. • Historic Vessel: The world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus (SSN-571), operated under COMSUBLANT after her commissioning in 1954. • International Partnerships: COMSUBLANT works closely with NATO allies, regularly participating in joint exercises such as the Dynamic Mongoose and Dynamic Manta anti-submarine warfare drills.