Submarine Group Two Reborn as Response to ‘Great Power Competition’

NORFOLK, Va. — Taking another step in response to the re-emergence of the ‘great power competition,’ the U.S. Navy re-established Commander, Submarine Group (SUBGRU) Two in Norfolk, Virginia, on Sept. 30 following its hiatus since August 2014, U.S. Submarine Forces public affairs said in a release. 

The move follows the re-establishment of commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, in 2018 and is aimed at enhancing the Navy’s capacity to command and control its undersea warfare forces seamlessly across all of the Atlantic area, from the U.S. eastern seaboard to the Barents Sea and even into the southern Atlantic. 

“The security environment continues to grow more challenging and complex — particularly in the North Atlantic,” said Vice Adm. Charles Richard, commander of Submarine Forces. 

“To maintain America’s undersea superiority, we must increase naval power and our readiness for high-end blue water warfare. How we’re organized to command that employment will be a driving factor in our success — that’s why we’re re-establishing Sub Group Two today.” 

SUBGRU 2 is commanded by Rear Adm. James Waters, who also assumed duties as commander, Task Force 84. CTF 84 is the theater anti-submarine warfare commander for U.S. Fleet Forces Command. 

“Our motto, ‘Praeparavit Regnatura,’ means ready to dominate. We will prepare forces to control the undersea domain through rigorous competitive training and a thorough understanding of our adversaries and the environment where we both operate,” Waters said. “Further, we will innovate and advance the art of theater anti-submarine warfare through complex fleet exercises and war games.” 

Additionally, the command can operate as an embedded CTF within C2F when it is activated as a Maritime Command Element and to serve as the TASW commander for commander, U.S. 4th Fleet, as assigned. SUBGRU 2 will have more administrative control responsibilities delegated from Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic. 

“As you carry out your day-to-day duties, you must understand that winning decisively in a potential ‘Fourth Battle of the Atlantic’ should be your guiding vision,” said Adm. Christopher Grady, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command. “The best way to prevent a fight is to be prepared to win decisively should anyone choose to threaten us. We believe in power for peace.” 

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