COMSUBPAC, Pearl Harbor

• Establishment: Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) was established in 1941, just months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, to oversee and coordinate the growing submarine fleet in the Pacific. • Pearl Harbor Attack: During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the submarine base at Pearl Harbor was not heavily damaged, allowing the U.S. to retain its vital submarine force for immediate operations. • WWII Impact: Submarines under COMSUBPAC were responsible for sinking over 1,300 enemy ships during World War II, including more than half of the Japanese merchant marine fleet. • Medal of Honor Recipients: Seven submarine commanding officers under COMSUBPAC received the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism during WWII. • “Silent Service”: The nickname “Silent Service” comes from the stealthy and secretive nature of submarine operations, a tradition that continues at COMSUBPAC today. • Wolfpack Tactics: COMSUBPAC pioneered the use of “wolfpack” tactics, where groups of submarines would coordinate attacks on enemy convoys, increasing their effectiveness. • First Nuclear Submarine: The first nuclear-powered submarine to operate out of Pearl Harbor under COMSUBPAC was USS Skate (SSN-578), which arrived in 1959. • Modern Missions: Today, COMSUBPAC oversees both fast attack and ballistic missile submarines, supporting strategic deterrence and power projection throughout the Indo-Pacific region. • Historic Commanders: Rear Admiral Charles Lockwood, known as “Uncle Charlie,” was a legendary COMSUBPAC commander during WWII and was instrumental in improving submarine warfare tactics and crew morale. • Submarine Memorials: The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, located adjacent to COMSUBPAC headquarters at Pearl Harbor, serves as a tribute to the submariners lost during WWII and is a popular historic destination.