Enlarge / Image converted using ifftoany (credit: Lockheed Martin) The US Navy chain of command puts ships, submarines, and aircraft into type commands for operational purposes. Aircraft squadrons and air stations are under the administrative control of the appropriate Commander Naval Air Force. Submarines come under the Commander Submarine Force. All other ships fall under the Commander Naval Surface Force. It has been that way for a long time, a neat arrangement of platforms and the people who populate them.