Vice Chief of Naval Operations Visits Navy Submariners in Connecticut

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti visited Submarine Force leaders at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, Nov. 16.

The vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) is the second highest-ranking commissioned officer in the Department of the Navy, under the chief of naval operations.

Franchetti was hosted in Groton by Rear Adm. Martin Muckian, commander of the Undersea Warfighting Development Center (UWDC).

During her first visit to the area since becoming VCNO, Franchetti met with local military leaders to discuss Sailor quality of service, readiness, and submarine maintenance.

“This visit was a tremendous opportunity to hear directly from some of the leaders in the Navy’s Submarine Force and discuss how the Navy can best support their continued innovation and readiness in the undersea domain,” said Franchetti. “It’s crucial we maintain, grow and leverage the warfighting advantage that our state-of-the-art submarines and their elite crews provide our country.”

Groton is currently the home of 15 nuclear-powered fast attack submarines and submarine crews, as well as the UWDC and a significant portion of the Submarine Force training pipeline, including the Naval Submarine School and Submarine Learning Center. After meeting with area submarine, squadron and support command leaders, Franchetti visited the submarine school.

“We are honored to host Adm. Franchetti at the U.S. Naval Submarine School and demonstrate the warfighter development of our prospective department heads as we train and mentor them toward excellence,” said Capt. Eric Sager, commanding officer of the submarine school. “The Submarine Officer’s Advanced Course is a pivotal moment in a submarine officer’s career and professional development as leaders, warriors, and tacticians. Her meeting with the students and sharing the Navy’s strategic vison for combat today and in the near future underscores the significance of the submarine as a premier component of each combatant commanders’ war plan.”

Also while in Connecticut, Franchetti visited General Dynamics Corp.’s Electric Boat shipyard to discuss the newest Virginia-class fast attack submarines being constructed, as well as the future Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, the Navy’s number one acquisition priority.

The keel-laying ceremony marking the start of construction for the first of the new class – the future USS District of Columbia (SSBN 826) – was held in June at Electric Boat’s facility in nearby Quonset Point, Rhode Island. When completed, the Columbia-class submarines will be the largest submarines ever built by the United States, with 560 feet in length and a displacement of 20,810 tons.

Fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence. They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or response to regional crises.

Visit https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/ for more information on the Navy’s submarines.