United States Naval Forces Central Command
United States Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT) | |
---|---|
Active | 1983–present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Navy |
Type | Service component command |
Part of | United States Central Command |
Headquarters | Naval Support Activity Bahrain |
Website | www.cusnc.navy.mil |
Commanders | |
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command; Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Forces Maritime Component | VADM George Wikoff |
Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command | RDML Joshua Lasky |
Vice Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command | RDML Jeffrey A. Jurgemeyer |
United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander | Commodore Phillip Dennis, Royal Navy |
Command Master Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command; Command Master Chief, U.S. 5th Fleet. | CMDCM Christopher King |
United States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) is the
The Navy's post-
In October 1948, Hydrographic Survey Group 1 arrived to help map the Persian Gulf's waters. Consisting of USS Maury, USS Dutton, USS John Blish, and USS Littlehales, the group remained in the Persian Gulf until April 1949, but their efforts were limited by weather, logistics support and upkeep.[2]
In 1971, when Bahrain achieved full independence, the U.S. Navy leased part of the former British base HMS Jufair, originally established in 1935. It was renamed it Administrative Support Unit, Bahrain. The name was changed to Naval Support Activity Bahrain in 1999, to reflect its broader support role.[citation needed]
The command was established on 1 January 1983 along with the rest of U.S. Central Command, and command of NAVCENT was initially given to a flag officer selectee based at Pearl Harbor and tasked with coordinating administrative and logistical support for U.S. naval forces in the Persian Gulf. Rear Admiral (lower half) Stan Arthur, the first ComUSNAVCENT, served simultaneously as the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, Plans Officer during his first year in the position.[3] An actual flag officer deployed to the region known as Commander, Middle East Force (COMMIDEASTFOR), retained operational control of U.S. naval forces in the Persian Gulf and effectively served as USCENTCOM's de facto naval component commander.[4]
Following the initial establishment of U.S. Central Command, the boundary between USCENTCOM and U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) was the Strait of Hormuz.
To direct forces of multiple services operating over the boundary, Joint Task Force Middle East was established on 20 September 1987. It was soon obvious that JTF-ME and the Middle East Force were directing much the same operations, and a single dual-hatted naval commander, Commander, Middle Eastern Force (COMMIDEASTFOR), was appointed by February 1988. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command took part in Operation Earnest Will in 1986–1987 and supported Army special operations helicopters conducting Operation Prime Chance. Operation Praying Mantis followed later.
In August 1990, Captain Robert Sutton USN, who had been selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), was serving as ComUSNAVCENT.
Mauz, his staff, and his flagship,
After arrival in-theatre in late 1990, Vice Admiral
From 1 January 1991, the six carriers deployed were divided into Battle Force Yankee (two carriers, including Saratoga, in the Red Sea under Rear Admiral Riley Mixson, Commander,
Since ComUSNAVCENT operated from on board ship, he established NAVCENT-Riyadh as a staff organization to provide continuous Navy representation at CENTCOM headquarters.
On 24 April 1991, Vice Admiral Stan Arthur turned over command of NAVCENT to Rear Admiral Ray Taylor, Fogerty's replacement as Commander, Middle East Force, and Arthur and Blue Ridge began their voyage back to the Pacific.[13] Two months earlier, Rear Admiral Taylor had submitted thoughts on the reorientation of the NAVCENT command structure to Schwarzkopf following an earlier direction from Admiral Arthur.[14] The proposal, which was modified in the staffing process, eventually meant that the one-staff ComUSNAVCENT in Hawaii was upgraded to a two-star appointment co-located with Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida. Rear Admiral David Rogers became the first two-star Navy representative in Tampa when he relieved Rear Admiral Sutton.
Although COMSEVENTHFLT held command responsibility during this period, no numbered fleet existed permanently within the USCENTCOM
From 2010 through 2013, the U.S. maintained two aircraft carriers east of Suez, known as a "2.0 carrier presence," although it sometimes temporarily dipped below that level.[17] The heightened presence aimed to provide air and sea striking power for U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and also to deter Iran from bad behavior in the region and keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
In 2016 the USS San Antonio, USS Mason, USS Nitze, and USS Ponce came under attack as they moved through the Bab al-Mandeb strait on the southern end of the Red Sea. Shortly after the attacks, the USS Nitze destroyed three radar sites in Yemen in retaliation for the two separate attacks on U.S. ships in the Red Sea.[18]
On 1 December 2018, NAVCENT commander Vice Admiral Scott A. Stearney was found dead in his residence in Bahrain. No foul play was suspected. Rear Admiral Paul J. Schlise assumed interim command. Vice Admiral Jim Malloy flew to Bahrain to take command.[19][20]
Combined Maritime Forces
In February 2002 the Combined Maritime Forces was also established as an embedded activity to provide coordinated Coalition operations in the area of operations. It is an international naval partnership that provides security for civilian maritime traffic by conducting counter-
CMF's personnel and ships are drawn from 40 nations[22] and are organised into four principal task forces:
- Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) – Maritime Security & Counter-terrorism[23]
- Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) – Counter-piracy[24]
- Combined Task Force 152 (CTF-152) – Persian Gulf Security Cooperation[25]
- Combined Task Force 153 (CTF-153) – Red Sea Maritime Security[26]
After the
Combined Task Force 151 was established in January 2009 by Vice Admiral William E. Gortney specifically to address counter-piracy operations.[28]
Operating alongside CTF 151 and Operation Ocean Shield are other national deployments such as the People's Liberation Army Navy, most recently with "CTF 526" aboard the Type 054 frigate Wenzhou (which had the hull number 526).
Combined Task Force 153 was established in April 2022 by Vice Admiral Brad Cooper with a mission of maritime security and capacity building efforts in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden. Captain Robert Francis was designated the first CTF-153 commander.[29]
Combined Maritime Forces Participants
- Australia
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Canada
- Denmark
- Ecuador[30]
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- India
- Iraq
- Italy
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kenya
- South Korea
- Kuwait
- Malaysia
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates (2002–2023)[a]
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Yemen
Source: Combined Maritime Forces[21][33]
List of commanders
No. | Commander | Term | Notes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Term length | ||
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (COMUSNAVCENT) | ||||||
1 | Rear Admiral (lower half) Stanley R. Arthur (born 1935) | 1 January 1983 | 1987 | ~4 years, 0 days | Later served as the 5th NAVCENT commander from 1990 to 1991. | |
2 | Rear Admiral (lower half) Philip F. Duffy | 1987 | June 1990 | ~3 years, 151 days | Commander, Training Command, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (1990-1991) Retired, 1991. | |
3 | Captain Robert Sutton[34] (1942–2020) | June 1990 | August 1990 | ~61 days | Promoted to RDML in 1991; RADM in 1996 Commander, U.S. Naval Logistics Support Force (Task Force 150.3) (1990-1991) Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (Rear) (1991) Retired, 1999. | |
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (COMUSNAVCENT) and U.S. Seventh Fleet (C7F) | ||||||
4 | Vice Admiral Henry H. Mauz Jr.[35] (born 1936) | August 1990 | 1 December 1990 | ~122 days | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Navy Program Planning (1990-1992)[36] Promoted to admiral, 1992. Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (1992-1994) Retired, 1994. | |
5 | Vice Admiral Stanley R. Arthur[37] (born 1935) | 1 December 1990 | 24 April 1991 | 144 days | Continued to command Seventh Fleet until July 1992 Promoted to admiral, 1992. Vice Chief of Naval Operations (1992-1995) Retired, 1995. | |
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (COMUSNAVCENT) | ||||||
6 | Rear Admiral Raynor A.K. Taylor[35] (1935–2013) | 24 April 1991 | 19 October 1992 | 1 year, 178 days | Retired, 1993. | |
7 | Vice Admiral Douglas J. Katz[35] | 19 October 1992 | September 1994 | ~1 year, 317 days | Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (1994-1997) Retired, 1997. | |
8 | Vice Admiral John Scott Redd[38] (born 1944) | September 1994 | 1 July 1995 | ~303 days | Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy, Joint Staff (1996-1998) Retired, 1998. | |
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (COMUSNAVCENT) and U.S. Fifth Fleet (C5F) | ||||||
8 | Vice Admiral John Scott Redd (born 1944) | 1 July 1995 | June 1996 | ~336 days | Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy, Joint Staff (1996-1998) Retired, 1998. | |
9 | Vice Admiral Thomas B. Fargo[39] (born 1948) | June 1996 | 27 July 1998 | ~2 years, 56 days | Promoted to admiral, 1999. Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet (1999-2002) Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command (2002) Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (2002-2005) Retired, 2005. | |
10 | Vice Admiral Charles W. Moore Jr.[40] (born 1946) | 27 July 1998 | 3 February 2002 | 3 years, 191 days | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics (2002-2004) Retired, 2004. | |
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (COMUSNAVCENT), U.S. Fifth Fleet (C5F) and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) | ||||||
10 | Vice Admiral Charles W. Moore Jr. (born 1946) | 3 February 2002 | 11 February 2002 | 8 days | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics (2002-2004) Retired, 2004. | |
11 | ||||||
12 | Vice Admiral David C. Nichols[41] (born 1950) | 7 October 2003 | 3 November 2005 | 2 years, 27 days | Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command (2005-2007) Retired, 2007. | |
13 | Vice Admiral Patrick M. Walsh[41] (born 1955) | 3 November 2005 | 27 February 2007 | 1 year, 116 days | Promoted to admiral, 2007. Vice Chief of Naval Operations (2007-2009) Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (2009-2012) Retired, 2012. | |
14 | Vice Admiral Kevin J. Cosgriff[42] | 27 February 2007 | 5 July 2008 | 1 year, 129 days | Retired, 2008. | |
15 | ||||||
16 | Vice Admiral Mark I. Fox[44] (born 1956) | 5 July 2010 | 24 May 2012 | 1 year, 324 days | Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, and Strategy (2012-2013) Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command (2013-2016) Retired, 2016. | |
17 | Vice Admiral John W. Miller[45] | 24 May 2012 | 3 September 2015 | 3 years, 102 days | Retired, 2015. | |
18 | Vice Admiral Kevin M. Donegan[46] (born 1958) | 3 September 2015 | 19 September 2017 | 2 years, 16 days | Director of Navy Staff and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (2017-2018) Retired, 2018. | |
19 | Vice Admiral John C. Aquilino[47] (born 1962) | 19 September 2017 | 6 May 2018 | 229 days | Promoted to admiral, 2018. Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (2018-2021) Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (2021-present) | |
20 | Vice Admiral Scott Stearney[48] (1960–2018) | 6 May 2018 | 1 December 2018 | 209 days | Found dead in Bahrain residence, cause of death ruled a suicide. | |
- | Rear Admiral (lower half) Paul J. Schlise Acting | 1 December 2018 | 7 December 2018 | 6 days | Was deputy commander of NAVCENT/C5F from 2017 to 2019. Director, Surface Warfare Division, N96, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (2020-present) | |
21 | Vice Admiral James J. Malloy[49] (born 1963) | 7 December 2018 | 19 August 2020 | 1 year, 256 days | Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command (2020-present) | |
22 | Vice Admiral Samuel Paparo[50] (born 1964) | 19 August 2020 | 5 May 2021 | 259 days | Promoted to admiral, 2021. Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (2021-present) | |
23 | Vice Admiral Charles Cooper II[51] (born 1967) | 5 May 2021 | 1 February 2024 | 2 years, 272 days | - | |
24 | 1 February 2024 | Incumbent | 83 days | - |
References
- ^ These two paragraphs are based on David F. Winkler, 'Admirals, Amirs, and Desert Sailors,' Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland, 2007, p.21-25
- ^ a b Winkler 2007, p. 21-25.
- ^ a b Pokrant 1999, p. 8.
- ^ Winkler, p.86
- ^ Frey, Courtney & Evans, Mark L. (28 July 2015). "Klakring (FFG 42), 1982-2013". Naval History and Heritage Command. Archived from the original on 10 January 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
- ^ Pokrant 1999, pp. 8–10.
- ^ Pokrant 1999, pp. 11–12.
- ^ Pokrant 1999, p. 20.
- ^ Pokrant 1999, p. 21.
- ^ Edward J. Marolda, Robert John Schneller. Shield and Sword: The United States Navy and the Persian Gulf War. p. 84.
- ^ Pokrant 1999.
- ^ Conduct of the Persian Gulf War, Final Report to Congress, pg 553 start
- ^ Pokrant, 192.
- ^ Winkler, 127-8.
- ^ Barbara Starr, 'US Fifth Fleet reborn for active duty in the Persian Gulf, Jane's Defence Weekly, 27 May 1995, p.11
- ^ "NAVCENT/5th Fleet History". www.cusnc.navy.mil. Archived from the original on 1 August 2009.
- ^ Wong, Kristina (17 October 2015). "Navy won't have aircraft carrier in Persian Gulf as Iran deal takes effect". The Hill. Archived from the original on 20 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
- ^ Rogoway, Tyler (19 October 2016). "USS San Antonio Was Targeted During Anti-Ship Missile Attack Last Week Off Yemen". The Drive. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ LaGrone, Sam (1 December 2018). "UPDATED: U.S. 5th Fleet Commander Found Dead in Bahrain - USNI News". United States Naval Institute. Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- ^ Kube, Courtney; Helsel, Phil (1 December 2018). "Navy admiral Scott Stearney found dead in Bahrain, no foul play suspected". NBC News. Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- ^ a b "About CMF". Archived from the original on 2 January 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
- ^ "Combined Maritime Forces". Archived from the original on 10 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "CTF-150: Maritime Security". Archived from the original on 25 October 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
- ^ "CTF-151: Counter-piracy". Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
- ^ "CTF-152: Gulf Maritime Security". Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
- ^ "CTF: 153 Red Sea Maritime Security". CMF. 12 April 2022. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ "Piracy and HOA Operations" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
- ^ "New Counter-Piracy Task Force Established". Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
- ^ "New International Naval Task Force to Enhance Red Sea Security". CUSNC. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ^ "Ecuador Joins Combined Maritime Forces in Middle East as 40th Member". 22 January 2024. Archived from the original on 22 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Faucon, Benoit; Nissenbaum, Dion (31 May 2023). "U.A.E. Says It Exited U.S.-Led Naval Force". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "UAE rejects mischaracterisation of US-UAE conversations regarding maritime security". Gulf Today. 31 May 2023. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- ^ "CMF has 38 member nations". Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ Cox, Samuel J. "The Passing of Rear Admiral Robert "Bob" Sutton". The Sextant. United States Navy. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ a b c Anchor of Resolve: A History of US Naval Forces Central Command (PDF). p. 38. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "ADMIRAL HENRY H. MAUZ JR. '59, USN (RET.)". USNA. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ Anchor of Resolve: A History of US Naval Forces Central Command (PDF). p. 38. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ Anchor of Resolve: A History of US Naval Forces Central Command (PDF). p. 40. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "Admiral Thomas B. Fargo, U.S. Navy (Ret.)". Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT Bio". Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Vice Adm. Nichols Turns Over the Reigns to Vice Adm. Walsh [Image 3 of 3]". dvidshub.net. 3 November 2005. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Cosgriff Assumes Command of NAVCENT, 5th Fleet". dvidshub.net. 27 February 2007. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Cosgriff Highlights Regional Cooperation during Change of Command". dvidshub.net. 5 July 2008. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Vice Adm. Fox Assumes Command of US Navy in Middle East". dvidshub.net. 5 July 2010. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "VICE ADM. MILLER TAKES HELM OF U.S. NAVY IN MIDDLE EAST AND COMBINED MARITIME FORCES". Combined Maritime Forces. 24 May 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Prolific fighter pilot takes over 5th Fleet". Navy Times. 8 September 2015. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Fifth Fleet Welcomes New Commander". U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. 19 July 2019. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "VADM Stearney Takes Command of 5th Fleet; RADM Corey Takes Over PEO Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons". USNI News. 8 May 2018. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Vice Admiral James Malloy Assumes Duties as U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet Commander". U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. 7 December 2018. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "NAVCENT, FIFTH FLEET, CMF WELCOME NEW COMMANDER". U.S. Marine Corps. 19 August 2019. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "NAVCENT, U.S. Fifth Fleet, CMF Change of Command". U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. 6 May 2021. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
Winkler, David F. (2007). Admirals, Amirs, and Desert Sailors. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland
Notes
Further reading
- W. Seth Carus, Barry McCoy, and John R. Hafey, From MIDEASTFOR to Fifth Fleet: Forward Naval Presence in Southwest Asia, Alexandria, VA, Center for Naval Analyses, 1995
- Michael A. Palmer, Guardians of the Gulf, A History of America’s Expanding Role in the Persian Gulf, 1883 – 1992 (New York: The Free Press, 1992)
- Pokrant, Marvin (1999). Desert Shield at Sea: What the Navy Really Did: Volume 174 of Contributions in Military Studies. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0313310238. Retrieved 6 July 2012.