An Awe-Inspiring Tour Of The Navy's Most Important Submarine Base

Naval Submarine Base New London is one of the US Navy's most important and fascinating facilities.

Located along the eastern bank of the Thames River in Groton, Connecticut, New London serves as the home of fifteen attack-class submarines, the largest single contingent of subs in the US Navy. The submarines serve throughout the world, including beneath the polar ice cap.

Almost every sailor serving aboard a submarine will pass through New London for some kind of training. The base is known as "home of the submarine force," although personnel at the base like to call New London the "submarine capital of the world."

Steeped in history, Submarine Base New London was the first port to host US submarines in 1915, prior to the country's entrance into World War I. Since then, the base has continuously expanded as the US has grown into the world's largest naval power, with the most advanced submarine fleet of any country.

In October, Business Insider was given an all-encompassing tour of the base and its operations.