The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson, officiated a ceremony in Norfolk, Virginia this week to reestablish the U.S. 2nd Fleet. The ceremony, held at Norfolk-based aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, was hosted by Fleet Forces commander Admiral Chris Grady on August 24. The Bush is one of the ships assigned to newly-recreated 2nd Fleet and made a fitting backdrop for the ceremony.
Vice Admiral Andrew Lewis of Los Altos, California will take command and lead the Navy’s newest numbered fleet.
What Exactly is a Numbered Fleet?
Numbered fleets have a long history within the Navy. They refer to the Navy’s structure and how ships and aircraft report to the Navy’s leadership during operations and training. The system of numbering fleets began during the Second World War when then-Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Ernest J. King organized his forces to respond to both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. The even-numbered fleets were based in the Atlantic, while the odd-numbered fleets focused on the Pacific.
In a three-part message to the Navy, Admiral King designated numbered fleets to various regions within the Pacific and Atlantic. He also specified task force organization structure within the numbered fleets to respond to missions they would be expected to handle.
This system remains today.
The numbered fleets were disestablished at the end of World War II and reestablished various times based on the needs of the Navy. The numbered fleet system became a permanent organization structure in 1986 with the Goldwater-Nichols Act.
Is This an Increase in Force?
Not necessarily. With the addition of 2nd Fleet, the Navy now has 7 numbered fleets. 2nd Fleet has long been a part of the Navy’s organization and was only recently disestablished in 2011. Many of the responsibilities of 2nd Fleet were absorbed by US Fleet Forces.
HAPPENING NOW: #US2ndFleet establishment ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. #ReadyToFight https://t.co/2jvspo1d0s
— U.S. 2nd Fleet (@US2ndFleet) August 24, 2018
But with an increasing need and operational tempo, the Navy decided that restructuring was needed.
“Our National Defense Strategy makes clear that we’re back in an era of great power competition as the security environment continues to grow more challenging and complex,” said Admiral Richardson in a press release. “That’s why today, we’re standing up Second Fleet to address these changes, particularly in the north Atlantic.”
2nd Fleet will report to Fleet Forces, just as they did previously. The new command will be responsible for all operational and administrative matters on the East Coast of the United States and in the northern Atlantic Ocean. This includes ships, aircraft, and landing forces assigned to this region. 2nd Fleet will also “train, certify, and provide maritime forces to respond to global contingencies.”
The Navy’s Newest Numbered Fleet Commander
Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis has served as Naval Aviator for over 30 years. He previously had command of five units, including a Carrier Strike Group, Carrier Air Wing, and two Aircraft Squadrons. This experience will help him both understand the mission at 2nd Fleet and lead the personnel under his command.
