{"id":13838,"date":"2018-08-06T18:49:40","date_gmt":"2018-08-06T18:49:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/08\/06\/navy-sub-head-our-boats-remain-a-key-advantage-in-great-power-competition\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:58:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T18:58:18","slug":"navy-sub-head-our-boats-remain-a-key-advantage-in-great-power-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2018\/08\/06\/navy-sub-head-our-boats-remain-a-key-advantage-in-great-power-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Navy sub head eyes great power competition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the American military pivots away from nearly two decades of ground combat operations, the Navy\u2019s underwater fleet boasts a distinct advantage in future fights, the newest head of submarine forces<\/a> said Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As he took command of U.S. Submarine Forces, or SUBFOR, during a change of command ceremony, Vice Adm. Charles Richard<\/a> nodded to a return to great power competition against a resurgent Russia and an ascendant China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn that competition, our strength undersea is a key advantage that we have,\u201d Richard said, according to a Navy release<\/a>. \u201cThat 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Richard took command during a ceremony aboard the fast-attack submarine Washington at Virginia\u2019s Naval Station Norfolk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He relieved Vice Adm. Joseph E. Tofalo<\/a>, who has helmed the command since September 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\t