On April 24, 2008, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Gary Roughead, announced that the Navy was re-establishing the U.S. 4th Fleet.  The fleet, located in Mayport Fla., will be responsible for U.S. Navy ships, aircraft and submarines operating in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of focus, which encompasses the Caribbean, and Central and South America and the surrounding waters.

 

Audio ►  PLAY Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, Navy Rear Adm. James W. Stevenson Jr., discusses the re-establishment of the 4th fleet  said in a teleconference with online journalists and “bloggers.”

Re-establishing the Fourth Fleet recognizes the immense importance of maritime security in the southern part of the Western Hemisphere and signals our support and interest in the civil and military maritime services in Central and South America. Our Maritime Strategy raises the importance of working with international partners as the basis of global maritime security. This change increases our emphasis in the region on employing naval forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests.” – Adm. Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations

After extensive consideration and consultation, the Secretary of the Navy and the CNO have concluded that there are clear and compelling reasons to re-establish Commander, U.S. Fourth Fleet Headquarters as dual-hatted with Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern   Command (CONUSNAVSO).  Initially, the new 4th Fleet will be headquartered with COMUSNAVSO and take advantage of the existing infrastructure, communications support and personnel already in place in Mayport.  As a result, U.S. 4th Fleet will not involve an increase in forces assigned in Mayport.

 

U.S. 4th Fleet was originally established in 1943 as one of the original numbered fleets, and was given a specific mission. During World War II, the U.S. needed a command in charge of protecting against raiders, blockade runners and enemy submarines in the South Atlantic.  U.S. 4th Fleet was disestablished in 1950 when U.S. 2^nd Fleet took over its responsibilities.

 

Conducting the Maritime Strategy in a dynamic maritime region

A Fourth Fleet headquarters would be more effective in conducting the full spectrum of Maritime Strategy missions which promote and strengthen coalition building, develop partner nation capabilities and deter aggression.

 

• The command will provide enhanced support to U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) Operational and Contingency Plans, which are primarily maritime missions.

 

• As we have seen in other areas of the world, forward presence of naval forces provides regional stability and understanding of our local partners. The nation has vital interests in this dynamic region and economic stability is an imperative.

 

Ensuring optimal support to SOUTHCOM

Re-establishing a fleet-level staff will ensure optimal support to U.S. Southern Command through:

 

• Improved alignment for implementation of the Maritime Headquarters with Maritime Operation Center (MHQ/MOC) to enhance operational collaboration and exchange of information with regional maritime partners to improve regional maritime security activities.

 

• Operational compatibility with other Fleets including force management and resource allocation.

 

Demonstrating commitment to the SOUTHCOM region

SOUTHCOM is a maritime theater with more than 30 countries and about 15.6 million square miles of water.

 

• Designation as a numbered U.S. Navy fleet signals to civil and military maritime services in Central and South America our recognition of the importance of maritime security in the southern Western Hemisphere.

 

• Recent deployments to the region in 2007 include USNS Comfort, the USS Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group, HSV Swift Global Fleet Station pilot, and Partnership of the Americas (POA).

 

• Current and upcoming deployments include humanitarian assistance/disaster response deployment Continuing Promise and the ongoing POA 2008 which includes the annual multinational exercise UNITAS, hosted this year by Brazil and Peru; and FA PANAMAX, hosted each year by Panama.

 

Key Messages

Facts & Figures

»   A Fourth Fleet headquarters will be more effective in conducting the full spectrum of operations to promote and strengthen coalition building, develop partner nation capabilities and deter aggression.   »   The United States has vital national interests in this dynamic region of the world. Regional economic stability is a must.   »   Re-establishing the Fourth Fleet elevates the attention this area will receive.

»   Approximately 40% of U.S. trade and 50% of oil imports are within this hemisphere, including more than 33% of U.S. energy imports.   »   Approximately 50% of Latin American exports go to the United States.   »   The command will initially be in Mayport, Fla. and use existing infrastructure and personnel.   »   Fourth Fleet will not control ships in Mayport.