As the American military pivots away from nearly two decades of ground combat operations, the Navy’s underwater fleet boasts a distinct advantage in future fights, the newest head of submarine forces said Friday.
As he took command of U.S. Submarine Forces, or SUBFOR, during a change of command ceremony, Vice Adm. Charles Richard nodded to a return to great power competition against a resurgent Russia and an ascendant China.
“In that competition, our strength undersea is a key advantage that we have,” Richard said, according to a Navy release. “That will not change on my watch. With so much at stake, we cannot let up and must execute our mission with a continued sense of urgency.”
Richard took command during a ceremony aboard the fast-attack submarine Washington at Virginia’s Naval Station Norfolk.
He relieved Vice Adm. Joseph E. Tofalo, who has helmed the command since September 2015.
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The head of SUBFOR oversees all boats stationed on the Atlantic coast and advises NATO members regarding plans, doctrine and operations for the alliance’s Allied Submarine Command.
During the ceremony, Tofalo noted the change of command took place on the 60th anniversary of the submarine Nautilus reaching the North Pole, the first boat in history to make such a trek.
He is retiring from the Navy after 35 years of service.
Richard comes to SUBFOR after a stint as deputy director of U.S. Strategic Command, or STRATCOM, the keeper of the nation’s nukes.
“Prepare for battle!” Richard said at the ceremony. “This was Adm. Tofalo’s direction, and it is mine as well.”
Geoff is the managing editor of Military Times, but he still loves writing stories. He covered Iraq and Afghanistan extensively and was a reporter at the Chicago Tribune. He welcomes any and all kinds of tips at geoffz@militarytimes.com.
