The submarine side of NB Kitsap, sub base Bangor was originally established in 1942 as an ammunition shipment facility, continuing in this role until 1973. Conversion to a sub base occurred in the 1970s, and in 1980 the base began housing Trident-armed Ohio-class submarines, including the lead boat USS Ohio herself. The USS Ohio was slated for retirement in the early 2000s, but was refitted from ballistic missile classification to guided missile classification, along with three sister ships.

In 2004 Naval Submarine Base Bangor was merged with Naval Base Bremerton to create NB Kitsap. Currently Bangor is home port for eight SSBNs, two SSGNs, and one SSN. The SSN is the USS Jimmy Carter, the first sub named for a US President, and the first named for a living person.