United States Fifth Fleet

Fifth Fleet
The U.S. Fifth Fleet's emblem
Active
  • 26 April 1944 – January 1947
  • 1 July 1995 – present
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
Part of
Garrison/HQNaval Support Activity Bahrain, Bahrain
Engagements
Battle honoursPacific Theatre of World War II
Commanders
Current
commander
VADM George Wikoff
Command Master ChiefCMDCM Franklin P. Call
Notable
commanders
ADM Raymond A. Spruance, USN

The Fifth Fleet is a numbered fleet of the United States Navy. Its area of responsibility encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles, and includes the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. It shares a commander and headquarters with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) in Bahrain. Fifth Fleet/NAVCENT is a component command of, and reports to, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

Established during World War II in 1944, the Fifth Fleet conducted extensive operations that led to the defeat of Japanese forces in the Central Pacific, including battles for the Mariana Islands campaign, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. In 1947, two years after the Allied victory, it was stood down. After remaining inactive for 48 years, the Fifth Fleet was reactivated in 1995. It contributed significant forces in the Global War on Terrorism and continues to project US naval power in the Middle East.