Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet > Media

Ring The Bell: How the ‘Keystone of Defense’ Built A Winning Culture
September 23, 2025 — Silverdale, Wash. (Sept. 23, 2025) – Embarking a ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) is akin to entering a universe unto itself. The black metal hull belies the unique culture and nuanced ecosystem contained within its walls. Descending the ladder is disorienting—like Alice following the rabbit hole—one is thrust into a novel environment with walls... MORE

241213-N-GD259-1038 Bremerton, Wash. (Dec. 13, 2024) – Crewmembers assigned to the ballistic missile submarine USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) pose for a photo while the ship is in dry dock at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. Pennsylvania won the 2024 Retention Excellence Award and Best-In-Class distinction for Pacific Fleet SSBNs. Commander, Submarine Group (SUBGRU) 9 exercises administrative and operational control authority for assigned submarine commands and units in the Pacific Northwest providing oversight for shipboard training, personnel, supply and material readiness of SSBNs and their crews. SUBGRU-9 is also responsible for nuclear submarines undergoing conversion or overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. SUBGRU-9’s subordinate commands include Submarine Readiness Squadron 31, Submarine Squadrons 17 and 19, eight SSBNs, two SSGNs, and four SSNs homeported in the Pacific Northwest. (U.S. Navy Photo by Wendy Hallmark)

USS Mississippi Holds Change of Command Ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
September 18, 2025 — Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) conducted a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Sep. 18, 2025. Cmdr. Alex Rinaldi relieved Cmdr. Jeff Bernhardt as Mississippi’s commanding officer.Bernhardt addressed the crew of Mississippi and thanked them for their accomplishments during his tenure as... MORE

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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (Sep. 18, 2025) - Cmdr. Alex Rinaldi, incoming commanding officer of Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782), right, salutes Cmdr. Jeffrey Bernhardt, outgoing commanding officer of Mississippi, left, while Capt. Chris Hedrick, commander, Submarine Squadron 1, center, observes during the Mississippi’s change of command ceremony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Sep. 18, 2025. Mississippi is assigned to Submarine Squadron 1 and is capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations forces support, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nicholas Russell)

USS Springfield Returns to Guam Following Indo-Pacific Deployment
August 31, 2025 — NAVAL BASE GUAM (August 31, 2025) — The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Springfield (SSN 761) returned to its homeport, August 31, after completing a routine deployment in the Indo-Pacific, reaffirming its vital role in maintaining security and stability in the region.“USS Springfield showcases the strength and professionalism of our... MORE

NAVAL BASE GUAM (August 31, 2025) Cmdr. Greg Storer, commanding officer, USS Springfield (SSN 761), left, and Lt. Cmdr. Juan Diaz, center, man the conning tower of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine, August 31, 2025. Springfield returns to Guam after completing a routine deployment in the Indo-Pacific. Assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 15, based at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam, Springfield is one of five forward-deployed fast-attack submarines. Renowned for their unparalleled speed, endurance, stealth, and mobility, fast-attack submarines are the backbone of the Navy’s submarine force. Regarded as apex predators of the sea, Guam’s fast-attack submarines serve at the tip of the spear, helping to reaffirm the submarine force's forward-deployed presence in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. James Caliva)

Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 holds Change of Command
August 29, 2025 — SAN DIEGO – Capt. Phillip Sylvia Jr. relieved Capt. Will Wiley as Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 11 in a change of command ceremony held aboard the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Scranton (SSN 756) at Naval Base Point Loma, Aug. 29.Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck, Commander, Submarine Group (CSG) Seven, and Rear Adm. Christopher... MORE

U.S. Marine Corps and Navy leaders foster Indo-Pacific partnership during USS Vermont (SSN 792) tour
August 14, 2025 — The commanding officer of 3d Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR), 3d Marine Division, and the commodore of commander, Submarine Squadron 1 (CSS 1) strengthened inter-service cooperation during a familiarization tour aboard the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Vermont (SSN 792) on Aug. 14, 2025, signifying growing collaboration between U.S... MORE

Capt. Chris Hedrick, commander, Submarine Squadron 1, left, Col. Gabriel L. Diana, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment commanding officer, second from left, and staff pose for a photo on the brow before a tour of the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Vermont (SSN 792) on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Aug. 14, 2025.

Submarine Squadron 7 Holds Change of Command Ceremony at Pearl Harbor
July 25, 2025 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (July 25, 2025) - Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 7 held a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, July 25, 2025. Capt. Jeff Fassbender, from St. Marys, Kansas, relieved Capt. Corey Poorman, from Severna Park, Maryland, as CSS 7 commodore aboard the Los Angeles-class fast-attack... MORE

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (July 25, 2025) - Capt. Jeff Fassbender, incoming commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 7, delivers remarks during the CSS 7 change of command ceremony aboard the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Columbia (SSN 771), July 25, 2025. During the ceremony, Fassbender, from St. Marys, Kansas, relieved Capt. Corey Poorman, from Severna Park, Maryland, as CSS 7 commodore. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Scott Barnes)

USS Indiana Changes Homeport to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
July 22, 2025 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM – The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Indiana (SSN 789) arrived at its new homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, July 22, 2025. Indiana joined Submarine Squadron 7 as its third Virginia-class submarine after transiting from its previous homeport of Groton, Connecticut.“The crew and I are grateful for... MORE

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (July 22, 2025) - Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Indiana (SSN 789) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during its change of homeport, July 22, 2025. Indiana is assigned to Submarine Squadron 7 and is capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Scott Barnes)

USS Toledo Arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
July 12, 2025 — The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769) arrived at its new homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, from its previous homeport of Portsmouth, Virginia, July 12, 2025. Toledo joined Submarine Squadron 7 as their fourth Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine.“Our crew is excited to finally arrive in Pearl Harbor after... MORE

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (July 12, 2025) - Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during its change of homeport, July 12, 2025. Toledo is assigned to Submarine Squadron 7 and is capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Scott Barnes)

Capt. Nathan Luther Assumes Command of Submarine Squadron 17
May 16, 2025 — Capt. Nathan Luther relieved Capt. Chimi Zacot as commander of Submarine Squadron 17 (CSS-17) during a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, May 16. Rear Adm. Christopher Nash, commander of Submarine Group 9 (SUBGRU-9), presided over the ceremony.CSS-17 comprises seven Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines and is responsible for... MORE

Capt. Nathan Luther relieves Capt. Chimi Zacot as commodore of Submarine Squadron 17 as Rear Adm. Christopher Nash, commander of Submarine Group (SUBGRU) 9, presides during a change of command ceremony held at the Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor chapel, May 16, 2025. SUBGRU-9 exercises administrative control authority for assigned submarine commands and units in the Pacific Northwest providing oversight for shipboard training, personnel, supply and material readiness of SSBNs and their crews. SUBGRU-9 is also responsible for nuclear submarines undergoing conversion or overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton. SUBGRU-9’s subordinate commands include Submarine Readiness Squadron 31, Submarine Squadrons 17 and 19, eight SSBNs, two SSGNs, and four SSNs homeported in the Pacific Northwest. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gwedelyn Ohrazda)

USS Alexandria returns to Naval Base Point Loma following seven-month Pacific Ocean deployment
May 15, 2025 — NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA (May 15, 2025) - Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Alexandria (SSN 757) returned home to Naval Base Point Loma following a successful seven-month deployment to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, May 15, 2025.Alexandria deployed in 2024 from its homeport of Naval Base Point Loma, California, on a... MORE

Cmdr. Christopher Rose, center, commanding officer of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Alexandria (SSN 757), observes mooring operations as the boat returns to Naval Base Point Loma following a 7-month deployment to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, May 15, 2025.