After a 48-year hibernation, the US 5th Fleet was reactivated and it now cruises the Gulf. By July 1995, the course of events made a new numbered fleet necessary. Ships from the East and West Coasts comprised the fleet, but it operated without a traditionally understood structure or number. Since the Gulf War, NAVCENT fulfilled the roles of both a naval component command and as the fleet command. During Desert Storm in 1991, the Commander, Seventh Fleet served as naval component commander for Central Command. Naval Forces Central Command where it remained following the war.
The Middle East Force found itself operating under operational control of U.S. After the 1990 Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, the largest armada since World War II assembled in the Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield, and ultimately Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Through the 1980s several frigate- and destroyer-type ships and minesweepers were assigned to the Middle East Force as well as support ships. Fifth Fleet was initially established 26 April 1944 from Central Pacific Force, and dis-establsihed after the war. The Commander, US Naval Forces Central Command is the naval component commander for US Central Command responsible for combat operations in the Middle East. Area of Operations:įifth Fleet maintains a visible and powerful force to counter and deter threats to the Arabian Gulf area. 2nd Fleet took over its responsibilities. 4th Fleet was disestablished in 1950 when U.S. needed a command in charge of protecting against raiders, blockade runners and enemy submarines in the South Atlantic. 4th Fleet was originally established in 1943 as one of the original numbered fleets, and was given a specific mission. Various operations include counter-illicit trafficking, Theater Security Cooperation, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training. naval forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of focus, which encompasses the Caribbean, and Central and South America and the surrounding waters. Navy ships, aircraft and submarines operating in the U.S. Gary Roughead announced the reestablishment of U.S. On 24 April 2008 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Third Fleet was formed as a fighting force under Admiral "Bull" Halsey on 15 March 1943, and reconstituted in the Middle and Eastern Pacific on 01 February 1975. In peacetime the Third Fleet has no ARG and the carriers in the area are on their way to the Seventh Fleet or conduct training cruises after an overhaul for example. The main task of the Third Fleet is to patrol and to control the waters of the central and eastern Pacific. The force consists of a balanced mix of capabilities including aircraft carriers, surface combatants, submarines, surveillance assets, amphibious forces, marine landing and mobile logistic units. Presently, the Second Fleet is based in Norfolk, VA.
In February 1950, the command was redesignated to its current title, US Second Fleet, and is a part of US Atlantic Command. The US Second Fleet traces its origin to the reorganization of the Navy after World War II in December 1945 and the formation of the US Eighth Fleet. In all, it covers more than 38 million square miles. It also operates along both coasts of South America and part of the west coast of Central America.
Second Fleet operates primarily in the Atlantic Ocean from the North Pole to the South Pole and from the shores of the United States to the west coast of Europe. The Second Fleet is responsible in peacetime for training the Atlantic battle fleet in war-fighting skills, developing and evaluating new naval tactics and maintaining theater battle group readiness. 2nd Fleet 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet to end of page