Fast Carrier Task Force

Fast Carrier Task Force
Task Force 38 at Ulithi in December 1944
Active1944–45
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
TypeFleet
Size17 carriers, 6 battleships, 13 cruisers, 58 destroyers, 1,100 aircraft (December 1944);[1] increased for Battle of Iwo Jima, 1945
Part ofUnited States Pacific Fleet
Garrison/HQPearl Harbor
Nickname(s)Task Force 38, Task Force 58
EngagementsPacific War
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Admiral Marc Mitscher
Admiral John S. McCain, Sr.
Admiral John H. Towers

The Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 38 when assigned to Third Fleet, TF 58 when assigned to Fifth Fleet) was a group of ships in World War II. It was the main striking force of the United States Navy in the Pacific War from January 1944 through the end of the war in September 1945. The task force was made up of several separate task groups, each typically built around three to four aircraft carriers and their supporting vessels. The support vessels were screening destroyers, cruisers, and the newly built fast battleships.[2]

  1. ^ Chant, Christopher (2013). The Encyclopedia of Codenames of World War II. Routledge. p. 103. ISBN 978-1134647873.
  2. ^ Taylor p. 170