U . S . Navy type commands U . S . Navy type commands perform vital administrative , personnel , and operational training functions for a " type " of weapon system ( e . g . , naval aviation , submarine warfare , surface warships ) within a fleet organization . Aircraft carriers , carrier airwings , aircraft squadrons , and naval air stations are under the administrative control ( ADCON ) of the appropriate Commander Naval Air Force . Ballistic missile submarines , attack submarines , and submarine tenders come under the administrative control of the appropriate Commander Submarine Force . All other surface warships ( i . e . , cruisers , destroyers , frigates , littoral combat ships , patrol vessels , mine warfare craft , and amphibious warfare vessels ) fall under the administrative control of the appropriate Commander Naval Surface Force . This type command structure is mirrored in United States Fleet Forces Command and the United States Pacific Fleet . Normally , the type command controls the ship during its primary and intermediate training cycles , and then the warship moves under the operational control ( OPCON ) of the respective fleet command once it is ready for deployment . The two previous submarine type commands supervised Submarine Groups ( SubGru ( s ) ) , Submarine Squadrons , and other units . The Commander of a Submarine Group is known , in official Navy communications , as COMSUBGRU ( followed by a number ) , such as COMSUBGRU ONE . Lead - Follow . Effective 1 October 2001 , the U . S . Navy developed a " Lead - Follow " arrangement among its type commands wherein one type commander is designated the senior lead for the specific " type " of weapon system ( i . e . , naval aviation , submarine warfare , surface warships ) throughout the entire operating U . S . Fleet as it pertains to modernization needs , training initiatives , and operational concept development . These fleet TYCOM commanders will provide guidance to their respective " type " forces via the existing lead - follow TYCOM arrangement . Commander , Naval Air Forces . The Commander , U . S . Naval Air Forces , Pacific Fleet ( COMNAVAIRPAC ) is designated as the Commander , Naval Air Forces ( COMNAVAIRFOR ) for the U . S . Fleet Forces Command , with the Commander , U . S . Naval Air Forces , Atlantic Fleet ( COMNAVAIRLANT ) as his deputy . COMNAVAIRFOR is responsible for modernization needs , training initiatives , and operational concept development for the naval aviation community throughout the U . S . Navy ' s operational fleet . Commander , Naval Submarine Forces . Commander , Submarine Force , US Atlantic Fleet ( COMSUBLANT ) was designated as the Commander , Naval Submarine Forces ( COMNAVSUBFOR ) for the U . S . Fleet Forces Command , with the Commander , U . S . Submarine Forces , Pacific Fleet ( COMSUBPAC ) as his deputy . COMNAVSUBFOR is responsible for modernization needs , training initiatives , and operational concept development for submarine warfare community throughout the U . S . Navy ' s operational fleet . Commander , Naval Surface Forces . The Commander , Naval Surface Force , U . S . Pacific Fleet ( COMNAVSURFPAC ) was designated as the Commander , Naval Surface Forces ( COMNAVSURFOR ) for the U . S . Fleet Forces Command , with the Commander , Naval Surface Force , U . S . Atlantic Fleet ( COMNAVSURFLANT ) , serving as his deputy . COMNAVSURFOR is responsible for modernization needs , training initiatives , and operational concept development for the surface warfare community throughout the U . S . Navy ' s operational fleet .