GROTON, Conn. — The Navy on Monday formally opened a new training center at the Connecticut submarine base, which now once again has an admiral in residence.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Naval Submarine Base New London for the Undersea Warfighting Development Center, which will lead training of the submarine force in the latest tactics and techniques for anti-submarine warfare.
The center began operations Sept. 1, led by Rear Adm. Jeffrey Trussler.
The military base in Groton, which bills itself as the submarine capital of the world, had been without a flag officer following a Navy reorganization last year that eliminated a Connecticut-based administrative grouping of submarines. The base in Groton remains the primary homeport for attack submarines on the East Coast.
Vice Adm. Joe Tofalo, commander of the Navy's submarine force, said at the ceremony that the center will help keep the military prepared for potential conflicts.
"The things that our submarine force is expected to do on the first day of some of our potential conflicts are absolutely sobering," he said. "Rear Adm. Trussler and his team here will ensure we that we stay poised to do that."
The center in Connecticut has command authority over similar centers in San Diego and Norfolk, Virginia. It brings 52 new positions to the base in Groton, including 14 officers, 19 enlisted sailors and 19 civilians.
Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., said in remarks at the ceremony that the center is important for the country and a source of excitement for the community. He said he has warned Trussler that as a new flag officer in southeastern Connecticut, he can expect to be treated like a rock star when he goes to the supermarket.
