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Fifth Fleet | |
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Active |
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Country | United States |
Branch | United States Navy |
Part of |
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Garrison/HQ | Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Bahrain |
Engagements | |
Battle honours | Pacific Theatre of World War II |
Commanders | |
Current commander | VADM George Wikoff |
Command Master Chief | CMDCM 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.