Navy of the United States
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| Navy of the United States | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | United States Navy |
| Established | 1775 |
| Type | Navy |
| Role | Sea power, maritime security |
| Size | Active duty, Reserve, civilian |
| Command structure | Department of the Navy |
| Garrison | The Pentagon |
| Garrison label | Headquarters |
Navy of the United States
The Navy of the United States traces its origins to the Continental Navy and has evolved into a global maritime force responsible for sea control, power projection, and deterrence. Its force structure includes aircraft carriers, guided missile destroyers, fast attack submarines, and carrier air wings, operating under joint frameworks like United States Department of Defense and collaborating with allies such as North Atlantic Treaty Organization, United Kingdom, Japan and Australia. The service has played central roles in conflicts from the American Revolutionary War and Barbary Wars through the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
History
The naval tradition begins with the Continental Navy and figures like John Paul Jones and actions such as the Raid on Nassau, evolving through the Quasi-War with France, the War of 1812 against United Kingdom, and the Perry Expedition to Japan. Nineteenth-century developments included steam conversion, the Mexican–American War operations, and the post‑Civil War expansion influenced by thinkers like Alfred Thayer Mahan and events including the Spanish–American War that produced carriers and a blue‑water policy embodied by the Great White Fleet. Twentieth‑century milestones comprise the Battle of the Atlantic, Battle of Midway, and carrier warfare epitomized by USS Enterprise (CV-6), while nuclear propulsion and ballistic missile submarines such as USS Nautilus (SSN-571) and USS George Washington (SSBN-598) shaped Cold War deterrence. Post‑Cold War engagements include Operation Praying Mantis, Operation Odyssey Dawn, and humanitarian missions like responses to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
Organization and Command Structure
The service functions under the United States Department of the Navy and the Secretary of the Navy, with operational forces typically assigned to United States Indo-Pacific Command, United States European Command, and United States Fleet Forces Command. The highest uniformed officer is the Chief of Naval Operations, who sits on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, while fleet commanders such as leaders of United States Pacific Fleet and United States Fleet Forces Command coordinate numbered fleets like Third Fleet, Fifth Fleet, and Seventh Fleet. The command integrates community leaders from aviation, surface, submarine, and special warfare communities exemplified by organizations like Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Air Systems Command, and Naval Special Warfare Command.
Personnel and Training
Sailors are organized into enlisted ratings and officer communities trained at institutions such as United States Naval Academy, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, Officer Candidate School (United States Navy), and Naval War College. Technical and flight training occurs at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, and Great Lakes Naval Training Center, while specialized pipelines produce Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers, Nuclear-trained officers through the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, and SEALs via Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S). Professional development includes linkages to schools like Surface Warfare Officers School and joint education at National Defense University.
Ships and Submarines
The fleet comprises carrier strike groups centered on Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, surface combatants including Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and Zumwalt-class destroyer, amphibious ships such as Wasp-class amphibious assault ship and America-class amphibious assault ship, logistics vessels from USNS Mercy (T‑AH‑19) style auxiliaries, and submarines like Los Angeles-class submarine, Seawolf-class submarine, Virginia-class submarine, and Ohio-class submarine. Shipbuilding and maintenance involve contractors and yards such as Newport News Shipbuilding, Huntington Ingalls Industries, General Dynamics Electric Boat, and Bath Iron Works. Weapons systems include Tomahawk (missile), Standard Missile family, Phalanx CIWS, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles like Trident (missile).
Aircraft and Aviation Units
Naval aviation fields carrier-based and maritime patrol aircraft including F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, F-35C Lightning II, EA-18G Growler, E-2 Hawkeye, P-8 Poseidon, MH-60R Seahawk, and tiltrotor MV-22 Osprey. Carrier air wings embark on carriers like USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and operate under commands such as Commander, Naval Air Forces. Aviation training, maintenance, and research involve Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Test Pilot School, and collaborations with industry partners like Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
Operations and Deployments
Operational activity spans carrier strike group deployments, anti‑submarine warfare operations, ballistic missile defense patrols, and naval gunfire support linked to expeditionary forces and alliances such as NATO and bilateral arrangements with South Korea and Philippines. Notable operations include carrier involvement in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, counter‑piracy actions off Somalia under Combined Task Force 151, freedom of navigation operations near South China Sea contested features, and multinational exercises like RIMPAC and Malabar.
Budget and Procurement
Funding is appropriated through the United States Congress and administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Office of Management and Budget with major acquisition programs managed under statutes like the Defense Acquisition System. Large procurement programs include the Ford-class program, Columbia-class submarine for strategic deterrence, and modernization initiatives for Arleigh Burke Flight III. Industrial base and cost drivers involve shipyards like Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat, prime contractors such as Huntington Ingalls Industries, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, and oversight entities like the Government Accountability Office.