VADM John M. Richardson
Commander, Submarine Forces
Commander, Submarine Forces Atlantic
Commander, Allied Submarine Command
Vice Admiral Richardson assumed his current duties in November 2010. As Commander, Submarine Forces, he focuses the efforts of the U.S. Submarine Force to ensure that the U.S. Navy maintains undersea superiority today and into the future. As Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic, he has operational command of all U.S. submarines home ported on the Atlantic coast, as well as supporting shore activities. As commander, Allied Submarine Command, he acts as the principal advisor to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on submarine plans, operations, and doctrine.
Richardson’s operational assignments include service in both attack and ballistic missile submarines, including USS Parche (SSN 683), USS George C. Marshall (SSBN 654), and USS Salt Lake City (SSN 716).
He commanded USS Honolulu (SSN 718) in Pearl Harbor, Hi and was Commodore of Submarine Development Squadron Twelve in Groton, Ct. He most recently served in Naples, Italy as Commander, Submarine Group Eight; Commander, Submarines, Allied Naval Forces South; Deputy Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, and Chief of Staff, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa.
His staff assignments include duty in the Attack Submarine Division on the Chief of Naval Operations staff (OP-22); Naval Aide to the President of the United States; Prospective Commanding Officer Instructor for Commander, Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Assistant Deputy Director for Regional Operations on the Joint Staff; and Director of Strategy and Policy (J5) at U.S. Joint Forces Command.
Richardson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 and has earned Master’s degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National War College. He has been privileged to serve on teams that have been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Citation and the Battle Efficiency "E" Awards.