Fifth Fleet (United States)

Fifth Fleet (United States). The United States Fifth Fleet is a numbered fleet of the United States Navy, responsible for naval operations in the critical waterways of the Middle East. Its area of responsibility encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles, including the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. Headquartered at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, the fleet serves as the naval component of United States Central Command and works closely with regional partners to ensure maritime security and stability.

History

The Fifth Fleet was first established on 26 April 1943 during World War II under the command of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance. It played a pivotal role in the Central Pacific Theater, participating in major campaigns such as the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the Battle of Iwo Jima. Its Fast Carrier Task Force, led by Vice Admiral Marc Mitscher, was instrumental in achieving naval air superiority. The fleet was deactivated following the surrender of Japan in 1945. It was reactivated on 1 July 1995, replacing the United States Middle East Force, to address post-Cold War security challenges in the region, including enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolutions against Iraq. Since its reactivation, it has been central to operations including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and multinational efforts to combat piracy and ensure freedom of navigation in strategic straits like the Strait of Hormuz.

Area of responsibility

The Fifth Fleet's operational area spans the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, and the northern Indian Ocean. This region includes some of the world's most vital maritime chokepoints, such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb. The fleet's mission includes protecting sea lanes critical for global energy supplies, conducting maritime security operations, and executing theater security cooperation with nations like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. It also supports joint and combined task forces, including the multinational Combined Maritime Forces based in Manama.

Organization

The Fifth Fleet is a dual-hatted command, with its commander also serving as the Commander of United States Naval Forces Central Command. Its operational forces are drawn from rotating carrier strike groups, amphibious ready groups, and other units deployed from the United States Pacific Fleet and United States Fleet Forces Command. Key subordinate task forces include Combined Task Force 150 (maritime security), Combined Task Force 151 (counter-piracy), and Combined Task Force 152 (Arabian Gulf cooperation). The fleet's headquarters at Naval Support Activity Bahrain coordinates with other United States Department of Defense components and allied navies, integrating assets such as the United States Coast Guard and the Royal Navy.

List of commanders

Commanders of the Fifth Fleet have included some of the most distinguished officers in United States Navy history. * Admiral Raymond A. Spruance (1943–1945) * Vice Admiral John H. Towers (1945) * Vice Admiral Patricia A. Tracey (1996–1998) – First woman to command a numbered fleet. * Vice Admiral Timothy J. Keating (2002–2004) * Vice Admiral Patrick M. Walsh (2005–2007) * Vice Admiral John W. Miller (2012–2015) * Vice Admiral Kevin M. Donegan (2015–2017) * Vice Admiral James J. Malloy (2018–2021) * Vice Admiral Brad Cooper (2021–2023) * Vice Admiral George Wikoff (2023–present)

See also

* United States Seventh Fleet * United States Sixth Fleet * United States Tenth Fleet * Operation Inherent Resolve * International Maritime Security Construct * Gulf War * Iranian seizure of Stena Impero

Category:United States Navy fleets Category:Military units and formations established in 1943