[1] Submarine Squadron 3 was first established on November 25, 1930, at Coco Solo in the Panama Canal Zone.

Her ten boats conducted Panama Sea Frontier patrols for the Atlantic Fleet.

As tensions grew through the 1930s, Squadron Three's mission evolved into the defense of coastal regions on both ends of the canal.

By May 1945, there were no submarines left in the squadron; only the rescue vessel USS Mallard (AM-44) and three destroyers remained.

To support these ships, the Navy reorganized its submarine squadrons, re-establishing COMSUBRON 3 on Guam on Octobrt.