U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet Today
Since 2004 the U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet
has been an operational unit of U.S. Naval Forces Europe. Since that
time the staff has operated as a single entity with a four star
commander, COMNAVEUR, and a three star Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff
who also carries the title COMSIXTHFLT. The staff as a whole is known
as COMNAVEUR-COMSIXTHFLT (or CNE-C6F) presently working from its
Capodichino site facilities at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy.
The Sixth Fleet flagship (currently USS Mount Whitney) is home-ported
Gaeta, Italy.
All U.S. Naval forces entering the
Mediterranean Sea are assigned ("chopped") to Sixth Fleet. The Sixth
Fleet has consisted of up to 40 ships, 175 aircraft and 21,000 people,
such as in early 2003, when two carrier battlegroups operated in the
Mediterranean in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since 2005, Sixth
Fleet ships have increasingly been operating around Africa,
particularly in the Gulf of Guinea.
(The above was extracted in part from Wikipedia.)
A brief history of the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet
Since the early 19th century, when U.S. naval forces first engaged the
Barbary Pirates to prevent them from interfering with commercial
shipping, the United States has maintained a naval presence in the
Mediterranean . The earliest squadron was generally known as the Mediterranean
Squadron, and was also known as the Mediterranean Station.
In the years following World War I, ships of the United States
Mediterranean Squadron helped maintain peace among the countries of the
Balkans and the Middle East.
During World War II U.S. Naval forces in the Mediterranean supported
landings in North Africa (the Nov 42), in Sicily (Jul and Aug 43), and
Anzio (Jan 44). On 05 Aug 44 U. S. naval forces landed U. S. armies in
Southern France. The performance of U. S. naval forces in the
Mediterranean contributed significantly to victory in Europe. In the
spring and summer of 1945 U.S. naval activities in the Mediterranean
were reduced as liberated ports were returned to their national
authorities. A small postwar fleet of U.S. Navy ships, known as Naval Forces, Mediterranean,
commanded by Vice Admiral Bernhard H. Bieri, USN, remained in the
Mediterranean to protect American interests and to support United
States policies in the area.
In 1946 President Truman dispatched the battleship Missouri to the
Eastern
Mediterranean to counter Soviet threats to Turkey and Iran. At
that time the small U.S. fleet had as its flagship the USS Shenandoah
AD-26, a destroyer tender, which was anchored at Naples, Italy. The
cruiser USS Dayton CL-105 relieved the Shenandoah as flagship
and began operating with the fleet on 07 Aug 1947. The title of Naval
Forces
Mediterranean was changed to Commander
Sixth Task Fleet on 01 Jun 48 and then, on 12 Feb 1950 to Commander Sixth Fleet.
Throughout its history the Sixth Fleet has been part of a number of
higher commands. See a brief recap of these
commands below.
|
|
U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet Flagships
The data contained in the following chart is
derived from a large number of sources. Much of the information shown,
while accurate in content, is questionable as far as accuracy. If you
have any verifiable data that can add to the accuracy of, or correct
data in the table, please send it to the Webmaster.
In the early history of the United States squadrons of deployed naval
ships were not named. The first officially named squadron in the
Mediterranean was the "Mediterranean Squadron", later referred to as
the "European Squadron". After WWII, U.S. naval ships deployed in the
Mediterranean
were considered
part of "Naval Forces Mediterranean", later called the "Sixth
Task
Fleet". Beginning in 1950 deployed U.S. naval ships were
considered
to be part of the "S ixth Fleet".
The use of a (?) in
a
date indicates that the exact day, or month, or year shown is in
question. The "Start Date" and "End Date" columns indicate the
beginning
date and
the ending date for a particular ship's deployment as Flagship.
Ships that have had a large number of deployments as a Flagship are
shown
with a colored background to help identify them within the list.
Start Date
|
Ship's Name and Designation
|
End
Date
|
Place
Flag
Transferred
|
1794 - Congress
passes the Naval Act of 1794
This
act authorized
construction or purchase of four ships of forty-four guns each, and two
ships of thirty-six guns each.
(List of ships)
|
-
|
1798
-
Quasi
War (Franco-American War)
-
1800
(Between USA and France)
|
-
|
Sep
1800
- U.S.S.
George Washington
-
Oct 1800
(1st American warship in
Mediterranean)
|
-
|
1801
-
First Barbary War
-
1805
(Between USA and Ottoman
Empire)
|
-
|
1801
|
U.S.S.
President
(Considered to be the first Mediterranean Squadron, on
01 Jul 1801 USS
President anchored in the Bay of Gibraltar with USS Essex, USS Philadelphia and USS Enterprise.)
|
1801
|
-
|
1802
|
U.S.S.
Chesapeake
|
06 Apr
1803
|
-
|
06
Apr 1803
|
U.S.S. New
York
|
Aug
1803
|
-
|
Aug
1803
|
U.S.S.
Constitution
|
Sep
1807
|
-
|
1807
|
(Data for these years is being researched) |
1812 |
-
|
Jun
1812
-
War of 1812
-
Feb 1815
(Between USA and England)
|
-
|
1815
-
Second
Barbary War
-
1815
(Between USA and
Ottoman Empire)
|
-
|
May
1815
|
U.S.S.
Guerriere (See Note 12.)
|
Nov
1815
|
-
|
1815
|
U.S.S.
Independence (See Note 12.)
|
1816
|
-
|
08 Jun
1816
|
U.S.S.
Washington
|
01 Feb
1818
|
-
|
| 01 Feb
1818 |
U.S.S.
Franklin |
Mar
1820 |
-
|
Mar
1820
|
U.S.S.
Columbus
|
Jul
1821
|
-
|
Jul
1821
|
U.S.S.
Constitution
|
Mar
1828
|
-
|
Mar
1828
|
U.S.S.
Delaware
|
Nov
1829
|
-
|
Nov
1829
|
(Data for these years is being researched) |
Aug
1833
|
-
|
Aug
1833
|
U.S.S.
Delaware
|
Dec
1835
|
-
|
Dec
1835
|
U.S.S.
Constitution |
1838
|
-
|
1838
|
U.S.S.
Ohio
|
1839
|
-
|
1839
|
(Data for these years is being researched) |
1843
|
-
|
1843
|
U.S.S.
Cumberland
|
1846
|
-
|
1846
|
(Data for these years is being researched) |
1849
|
-
|
1849
|
U.S.S.
Cumberland |
1850
|
-
|
1850
|
U.S.S.
Independence
|
1852
|
-
|
1852
|
U.S.S.
Cumberland |
1855
|
-
|
1855
|
U.S.S.
Constellation
(Need
confirmation.)
|
Jul
1856
|
-
|
Jul
1856
|
U.S.S.
Susquehanna
|
Jul
1858
|
-
|
| Jul
1858 |
U.S.S. Wabash
|
Nov
1859
|
-
|
| Nov
1859 |
U.S.S.
Iroquois (?)
|
Oct
1860
|
-
|
| Oct
1860 |
U.S.S.
Richmond (?)
|
Jun
1861
|
-
|
| April
12, 1861 - American Civil
War / War Between the States -
April 9, 1865 |
-
|
Jun
1865
|
U.S.S.
Colorado
|
28 Jun
1867
|
-
|
28 Jun
1867
|
U.S.S.
Franklin
|
Nov
1868
|
-
|
Nov
1868
|
U.S.S.
Ticonderoga
|
28 Jan
1869 |
-
|
28 Jan
1869
|
U.S.S.
Franklin
|
18 Dec
1871
|
-
|
| 18 Dec
1871 |
U.S.S.
Wabash
|
30 Nov
1873 |
-
|
Apr
1874
|
U.S.S.
Franklin
|
14 Sep
1876
|
-
|
| 14 Sep
1876 |
U.S.S.
Vandalia (?) |
19 Apr
1877 |
(10) |
19 Apr
1877
|
U.S.S.
Trenton
|
07 Sep
1881
|
-
|
07 Sep
1881
|
U.S.S.
Lancaster
|
1884
|
-
|
1884
|
(Data for these years is being researched)
|
1888
|
-
|
Apr
1888
|
U.S.S.
Lancaster
|
Jul
1889
|
-
|
1889
|
(Data for these years is being researched)
|
Jun
1893
|
-
|
Jun
1893
|
U.S.S.
Chicago
|
Mar
1895
|
-
|
Mar
1895
|
(Data for these years is being researched) |
Dec
1899 |
-
|
Dec
1899
|
U.S.S.
Chicago |
Jul
1901
|
-
|
| Jul
1901 |
(Data for these years is being researched) |
01 Jan
1906
|
-
|
01 Jan
1906
|
U.S.S.
Maine (BB-10)
|
???
|
|
| 28
Jul 1914
-
World
War I
-
28 Jun 1919 |
-
|
| Jun
1919 |
U.S.S.
Pittsburgh CA-4
|
Jul
1921
|
(11)
|
Jul
1921
|
U.S.S.
Utah BB-31
|
Oct
1922
|
-
|
| Oct
1922 |
U.S.S.
Pittsburgh CA-4 |
Jun
1926
|
-
|
Jun
1926
|
U.S.S.
Memphis CL-13
|
Jul
1927 |
-
|
Jul
1927
|
U.S.S.
Detroit CL-8
|
Aug
1928
|
-
|
| Aug
1928 |
(Data for these years is being researched) |
Sep
1939 |
-
|
01
Sep 1939
-
World
War II
-
02 Sep 1945
|
-
|
| Sep
1945 |
(Data for these years is being researched) |
Feb
1947 |
-
|
Feb
1947
|
U.S.S.
Dayton CL-105 |
Jun
1947
|
-
|
Jun 1947
|
USS Fargo
CL-106 (1 month tour)
|
07 Aug 1947
|
-
|
07 Aug 1947
|
U.S.S.
Dayton CL-105
|
Nov 1947
|
-
|
???
|
USS Fargo
CL-106 (?) |
???
|
-
|
01 Mar 1948
|
U.S.S. Rochester
CA-124
|
14 Jun 1948
|
-
|
14 Jun 1948
|
USS Fargo
CL-106
|
Sep 1948
|
-
|
Sep 1948
|
USS
Albany CA-123 (7 month tour)
|
14 Mar 1949
|
-
|
14 Mar 1949
|
USS Fargo
CL-106
|
Aug 1949
|
-
|
16 Sep 1949
|
USS
Des Moines CA-134
|
06 Jan 1950
|
-
|
06 Jan 1950
|
USS
Newport News CA-148
|
17 (26?) May 1950
|
(4)
|
| 17 (26?) May 1950 |
USS
Salem CA-139
|
22 Sep 1950
|
-
|
22 Sep 1950
|
USS
Newport News CA-148
|
29 Mar 1951
|
-
|
29 Mar 1951
|
USS
Salem CA-139
|
19 Sep 1951
|
-
|
19 Sep 1951
|
USS
Des Moines CA-134
|
28 Apr 1952
|
(1)
|
28 Apr 1952
|
USS
Salem CA-139
|
29 Sep 1952
|
(2)
|
| 29 Sep 1952 |
USS
Des Moines CA-134
|
08 Nov 1952
|
(3)
|
08 Nov 1952
|
USS
Columbus CA-74
|
16 (18?) Jan 1953
|
(1) |
| 16 (18?) Jan 1953 |
USS
Newport News CA-148
|
? May 1953 |
(4)
|
| ? May 1953 |
USS
Salem CA-139
|
09 Oct 1953
|
(10) |
| 09 Oct 1953 |
USS
Des Moines CA-134
|
12 May 1954
|
-
|
12 May 1954
|
USS
Salem CA-139
|
22 Sep 1954
|
-
|
22 Sep 1954
|
USS
Des Moines CA-134
|
Dec 1954
|
-
|
Dec 1954
|
USS
Northampton
CLC-1
|
19 Feb 1955
|
-
|
19 Feb 1955
|
USS
Newport News CA-148
|
(18?) 19 May 1955
|
-
|
(18?) 19 May 1955
|
USS
Salem CA-139
|
23 Sep 1955
|
-
|
23 Sep 1955
|
USS
Northampton
CLC-1
|
Jan 1956
|
-
|
Jan 1956
|
USS
Newport News CA-148
|
14 (21?) May 1956 |
(4) |
14 (21?) May 1956
|
USS
Salem CA-139
|
?? Jun 1958
|
-
|
?? Jun 1958
|
USS
Des Moines CA-134
|
14 Dec 60
|
-
|
14 Dec 60
|
USS
Springfield CLG-7
|
20 Feb 61
|
(6)
|
| 20 Feb 61 |
USS
Little Rock CLG-4
|
15 Aug 61 |
(6) |
| 15 Aug 61 |
USS
Newport News CA-148 |
Dec 1962
|
-
|
Dec 1962 (?)
|
USS
Boston CAG-1 ( 6 weeks? )
|
??? 1963
|
-
|
??? 1963
|
USS
Springfield CLG-7
|
11 May 63
|
(7)
|
| 11 May 63 |
USS
Little Rock CLG-4
|
15 Dec 63 |
(8)
|
| 15 Dec 63 |
USS
Springfield CLG-7
|
14 Dec 64 |
(4) |
14 Dec 64
|
USS
Little Rock CLG-4
|
?? Jun 65
|
-
|
?? June 65
|
USS
Albany CG-10
|
1966 (?)
|
-
|
1966 (?)
|
USS
Springfield CLG-7
|
25 Jan 1967
|
(10)
|
| 25 Jan 1967 |
USS
Little Rock CLG-4
|
22 Aug 1970 |
(9) |
22 Aug 1970
|
USS
Springfield CLG-7
|
01 Sep 1973
|
-
|
01 Sep 1973
|
USS
Little Rock CLG-4
|
06 Sep 1976
|
-
|
06 Sep 1976
|
USS
Albany CG-10
|
28 May 1980 |
(9)
|
28 May 1980
|
USS
Puget Sound AD-38
|
Oct 1985
|
-
|
Oct 1985
|
USS
Coronado AGF-11
|
Jul 1986
|
-
|
Jul 1986
|
USS
Belknap CG 26
|
08 Nov 1994
|
-
|
08 Nov 1994
|
USS La
Salle AGF-3
|
25 Feb 05
|
-
|
25 Feb 05
|
USS
Mount Whitney LCC / JCC 20
|
Present (2009)
|
-
|
Notes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
|
Flag transfer occurred in Algiers, Algeria.
Flag transfer occurred in Tangiers, Morocco.
Flag transfer occurred in Malta.
Flag transfer occurred in Gibraltar.
Flag transfer occurred in Athens, Greece.
Flag transfer occurred in Pollens
Bay, Mallorca.
Flag transfer occurred in Toulon, France.
Flag transfer occurred in Rota, Spain.
Flag transfer occurred in Gaeta, Italy.
Flag transfer occurred in Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
Flag transfer occurred in Cherbourg, France
In 1815 the entire US naval force assembled in the Mediterranean under
Commodore Wm. Bainbridge. This was the largest fleet ever assembled
under the
American flag in the Mediterranean up to that time. The force consisted
of 18 warships, including
ship-of-the-line Independence,
5 frigates, 2 sloops-of-war, 7 brigs,
and 3 schooners.
|
|
Commanders
of the Sixth Fleet
(Also known at various times as the " Mediterranean
Squadron", the " European
Station",
the " European Squadron", " Naval Forces, Mediterranean", and
the " Sixth Task Fleet".)
As with the list of Flagships shown above,
some the names and dates in the following chart may be in error. The
information shown is most likely accurate in content, but some of it is
questionable as
far as date accuracy. If you have any verifiable data that can add to
the
accuracy of the table, please send it to the Webmaster.
The "Start Date" and "End Date" columns indicate the beginning date and
the ending date for a particular Fleet Commander's assignment. The use
of (?) in a date indicates that the exact day, or moth, or year shown
is in question.
The "Sixth Fleet" had many names over the years. In the "Fleet Name"
column, the letters shown designate the name of the Fleet/Squadron at
that particular time. (Links are typically to Wikipedia,)
Desig.
|
Squadron or Fleet
Name(s) Used
|
M
|
Mediterranean
Squadron (sometimes referred to as the "Mediterranean Station")
|
M1
|
First Mediterranean
Squadron: consisted of President,
Essex, Philadelphia, and Enterprise
|
M2
|
Second Mediterranean
Squadron: consisted of Columbia,
Cumberland, Fairfield and Plymouth
|
M3
|
Third Mediterranean
Squadron |
M4
|
Fourth Mediterranean
Squadron |
E
|
European
Squadron (also known as the European Station) |
F
|
North
Atlantic Fleet, Atlantic Fleet, Naval Forces, Mediterranean |
T
|
Sixth
Task Fleet |
6
|
Sixth
Fleet |
|
"Fleet"
Commanders
|
Fleet
Name
|
Major World Events
|
Start
Date
|
Name
|
End
Date
|
Date
|
Event
|
1801
|
Richard
Dale
|
Apr
1802
|
M1
|
1801
|
• Operations against Tripoli.
|
| Apr
1802 |
Richard
V. Morris |
???
1803
|
M2
|
|
|
???
1803
|
John
Rodgers |
May
1803
|
M2
|
|
|
May
1803
|
Edward
Preble
|
Sep
1804
|
M3
|
1803-1804
|
• War with the Barbary Pirates
|
Sep
1804
|
Samuel
Barron
|
Nov
1804
|
M4
|
1804
|
• Napoleon crowned Emperor of France
|
Nov
1804
|
John
Rodgers
|
May
1806
|
M4
|
1805
|
• British naval victory at Trafalgar
|
May
1806
|
Hugh
G. Campbell |
Aug
1807
|
M4
|
1812-1815
|
• War of 1812.
• Napoleon exiled 1814.
|
Aug
1807
|
???
|
May
1815
|
M
|
|
|
May
1815
|
Stephen
Decatur
|
1816
|
M
|
1815
|
• Second Barbary War
• Apparently two squadrons were involved.
|
1815
|
William
Bainbridge |
1815
|
M
|
1815
|
• Second Barbary War
• Apparently two squadrons were involved.
|
1815
|
Isaac
Chauncey
|
01
Feb 1818
|
M
|
|
• Britain involved in 3rd Maratha War
(India)
|
01
Feb
1818
|
Charles
Stewart
|
1820
|
M
|
1819
|
• US purchases Florida from Spain.
|
1821
|
Jacob
Jones
|
1823
|
M
|
1823
|
• Monroe Doctrine enacted.
|
1824
|
Thomas
MacDonough
|
14
Oct 1825
|
M
|
1824
|
• British take Rangoon
|
| 14
Oct 1825 |
???
|
1827
|
|
|
|
1827
|
William
I. M. Crane
|
1829
|
M
|
1827
|
• Egyptian and Turkish naval fleets
destroyed at Navarino
|
1829
|
???
|
1832
|
M
|
1828-1829
|
• Russo-Turkish War
|
1832
|
Daniel
T. Patterson
|
1836
|
M
|
1832
|
• Britain occupies the Falkland Islands
|
1836
|
Jesse
D. Elliott
|
1838
|
M
|
1836
|
• Texas wins independence from Mexico
|
1839
|
Isaac
Hull
|
1841
|
M
|
1838-1842
|
• First Afghan War
|
1843
|
Joseph
Smith
|
1843
|
M
|
1843
|
• First propeller driven ship crosses
Atlantic
|
1843
|
???
|
1848
|
M
|
1845-1846
|
• U.S. - Mexican War
|
1848
|
William
Bolton
|
1848
|
M
|
1848
|
• Revolt in Rome. Pope flees to Gaeta.
|
| 1850 |
Charles
W. Morgan
|
1850
|
M
|
1850
|
• Taiping rebellion in China
|
1850's
|
Elie
A. F. Lavallette |
1850's |
M
|
|
|
1856
|
Samuel
L. Breese
|
1859
|
M
|
1856-1857
|
• British-Persian War
|
1860
|
Uriah
P. Levy
|
1860
|
M
|
1860
|
• Treaty of Savoy - Nice and Savoy ceded
to France
|
1860
|
Charles
H. Bell |
1861 |
M
|
|
|
1861
|
???
|
1865
|
M
|
1861
|
• American Civil War begins.
|
1862
|
• Ironclads Monitor and the Merrimac battle
|
1863
|
• French troops occupy Mexico City
|
1864
|
• International Red Cross founded in Geneva
|
1865
|
ADM Louis M.
Goldsborough
|
May 1867
|
E
|
1865
|
• American Civil War ends. Lincoln shot.
|
1866
|
• Italian fleet destroyed by Austrians
|
1867
|
• USA buys Alaska for $7.2 million.
|
May
1867
|
ADM David
G. Farragut
|
Nov
1868
|
E
|
1868
|
• Spanish Revolution begins.
|
Nov
1868
|
RADM
William Radford |
Mar
1870
|
E
|
1869
|
• Spanish Revolution ends.
|
Mar
1870
|
Charles
S. Boggs |
01 Jan
1872
|
E |
|
|
| 01 Jan
1872 |
James
Alden Jr.
|
1873
|
E |
|
|
1873
|
ADM Augustus
L. Case
|
1875
|
E
|
1872
|
• Civil war in Spain.
|
1875
|
ADM John
Lorimer Worden
|
1877
|
E
|
1876
|
• Nicholas Otto of Germany invents
the internal combustion engine.
|
| 1877 |
|
16
Sep 1881 |
E |
1879 |
• Panama Canal Co. is
formed (France). |
16
Sep
1881
|
ADM James
W. Nicholson
|
10
Mar 1883 |
E
|
1882
|
• Recoil operated machine gun patented.
|
| 10
Mar 1883 |
Charles
H. Baldwin |
1887
|
E
|
1883-1885
|
• Sino-French War (Vietnam)
|
1887
|
ADM James
A. Greer
|
1889
|
E
|
1888
|
• Nicolas Tesla builds
the first electric
motor.
|
1889
|
???
|
1895
|
E
|
1895
|
• Marconi invents radio telephony.
|
1895
|
ADM Thomas
O. Selfridge, Jr.
|
1897
|
E
|
1898-1901
|
•
Spanish - American War
|
Note:
The European Squadron (European Station) fleet vacated the
Mediterranean at the
outset of the
Spanish - American war, and did not return until July 1901.
|
31
Jul 1901
|
ADM
Bartlett J. Cromwell
(Needs verification.)
|
09
Feb 02
|
E
|
1901-1902
|
• President McKinley
assassinated on
14 Sept 1901.
|
09
Feb
1902
|
Capt.
Joseph E. Craig (SOP)
|
18
May
02
|
E
|
1902
|
• British-Boer War ends
|
| 18
May 1902 |
RADM
Arent Schuyler Crowninshield
|
1903
|
E
|
1902-1903
|
• June 16, 1903 Ford Motor
Company
is founded.
|
| On
29 Dec 1902 the North Atlantic
Squadron, operating in the North
Atlantic was renamed North
Atlantic Fleet. |
1903
|
ADM
Albert S. Barker
|
1905
|
E
|
1904-1905
|
• Russo-Japanese
War.
|
In
1905 the European Squadron
was absorbed into the North Atlantic
Fleet.
|
On
Jan. 1, 1906 the North Atlantic
Fleet became the Atlantic
Fleet (USLANTFLT).
|
1906
|
RADM Robley D.
Evans
|
1908
|
F
|
1914
|
• Panama Canal
opens.
|
1914-1918
|
• World War I
• "Great White
Fleet" |
1908
|
RADM Charles S. Sperry |
1909
|
F
|
1907-1909
|
• "Great White Fleet" |
16
Dec 1907 - 22 Feb 1909 the U.S. Navy's "Great White Fleet"
under RADM Robley D.
Evans (Hampton Roads to San Francisco) and then RADM Charles S. Sperry
(San Francisco to Hampton Roads) circumnavigates the
globe.
|
| In
1917, US Naval Forces Operating in
European Waters was established for the duration of World War I.
(USA involved 1917-18) |
1917
(?)
|
RADM
William S. Sims |
1918
(?)
|
|
|
|
| In
1922, Naval Forces, Europe
was established. |
| 1939
- 1945 World War II |
|
1946 (?)
|
VADM Bernhard H. Bieri
|
1948 (?)
|
T
|
1947, 12 Mar
|
• Truman Doctrine
initiated.
|
| 1947,
12 Jul |
• Marshall Plan
goes into effect. |
Jan 1948 (?)
|
VADM Forrest P. Sherman
|
03 Nov 1949
|
T
|
|
|
03 Nov 1949
|
VADM John J.
Ballentine
|
19 Mar 1951
|
6
|
1949, 04 Apr
|
• NATO established
|
| 1950.
25 Jun |
• Korean War
begins 25 Jun 50
|
19
Mar 1951
|
VADM
Matthias B. Gardner
|
May
1952
(?)
|
6
|
1951-1952
|
• Korean War |
May 1952
(?) |
VADM John
H. Cassady
|
08 Mar 1954
|
6
|
1953,
27 Jul |
•
Korean War
ends.
|
| 1954,
21 Jan. |
• USS
Nautilus
SSN-571 launched. |
| 08 Mar
1954 |
VADM Thomas
S. Combs
|
1955
|
6
|
|
|
1955 (?)
|
VADM Ralph
A. Ofstie
|
12 Apr 1956
|
6
|
|
|
12 Apr
1956
|
VADM
Harry D. Felt
|
Aug
1956
|
6
|
1956, 26 Jul
|
• Egypt nationalizes
Suez
Canal
|
Aug 1956
|
VADM Charles R. "Cat"
Brown
|
Jan 1959 (?)
|
6
|
1956,
29 Oct
|
• Israel launches attack
on
Sinai
Peninsula.
|
| 1956,
06 Nov |
•
Cease fire in Sinai |
| 1957,
Apr-May |
•
Tensions in Jordan |
???
|
VADM
Clarence E. Ekstrom
|
???
|
6
|
|
|
Jan 1959 (?)
|
VADM George W. Anderson Jr. |
Jul 1960
|
6
|
1960, 01 May
|
• U2
spy
plane shot down over
Russia.
|
| 1961,
17 Apr |
• Bay of
Pigs, Cuba invasion |
Jul 1960 (?)
|
VADM David
L. McDonald
|
18 Mar 63
|
6
|
1961, 13 Aug
|
• Berlin Wall is erected.
|
| 1962, 14-28
Oct |
• Cuban
Missile Crisis |
18
Mar 63
|
VADM
William E. Gentner Jr. |
Mar
1964
|
6
|
1963,
22 Nov |
• Pres.
John
F. Kennedy
is assassinated.
|
Mar
1964
|
VADM William E.
Ellis
|
May
66
|
6
|
|
|
1966
|
VADM
Frederick L. Ashworth
|
10
Apr
67
|
6
|
|
|
10 Apr 67
|
VADM William
I. Martin
|
14 Aug 1968
|
6
|
1967, 5-10 Jun
|
• Arab - Israeli Six Day War
|
| 1967,
8-9 Jun |
• Attack on U.S.S.
Liberty |
| 1968,
23
Jan |
• Korea seizes U.S.S. Pueblo |
14 Aug 68
|
VADM David
C. Richardson
|
Aug 1970
|
6
|
|
|
Aug 1970
|
VADM
Isaac C. Kidd Jr.
|
Oct 1971
|
6
|
|
|
Oct 1971
|
VADM
Gerald E. "Jerry" Miller
|
Jun 1973
|
6
|
1972,
05 Sep
|
• 11 Israeli athletes
killed at
Munich
Olympics
|
Jun 1973
|
VADM Daniel
J. Murphy, Sr.
|
Sep 1974
|
6
|
1973, 6-26 Oct
|
• Arab-Israeli (Yom Kippur) War
|
1974,
20 Jul
|
• Turkey
invades Cyprus |
Sep 1974
|
VADM Frederick
C. Turner
|
Aug 1976
|
6
|
1975, 13 Apr
|
• Civil war
erupts in
Lebanon.
|
| 1975,
05 Jun |
• Suez Canal is
reopened.
USS
Little Rock participates in
ceremonies. |
Aug 1976
|
VADM
Harry D. Train II
|
Sep 1978
|
6
|
1978, 17 Sep
|
• Camp David
Peace
Accord signed
|
Sep 1978
|
VADM
James D. Watkins
|
Jul 1979
|
6
|
1979,
Jan
|
• Shah Pahlavi
leaves
Iran. Ayatollah
Khomeini takes over.
|
Jul 1979
|
VADM
William N. Small
|
Jun 1981
|
6
|
1979, 04 Nov
1980, 24 Apr
1980, 22 Sep
1981, 20 Jan
|
• Iranian militants
seize U.S.
embassy
in Tehran.
• Abortive hostage
rescue attempt
in Tehran
• 8-year Iran-Iraq
war begins.
• Reagan inaugurated. Iran releases
52 hostages.
|
Jun 1981
|
VADM
William H. Rowden
|
Jul 1983
|
6
|
1982, 04 Jun
|
• Israel invades Lebanon
• Marines
evacuate PLO from Beirut
|
Jul 1983
|
VADM
Edward H. Martin
|
Feb 1985
|
6
|
1983, 18 Apr
1983, 23 Oct
1983, 25 (Oct
1984, 30 Mar
|
• Bombing
of U.S. Embassy, 63 die.
• Bombing of Marine
Barracks
in Beirut kills 241
• US invasion
of Grenada.
• Reagan ends U.S. role in Beirut by
relieving Sixth Fleet from peace-
keeping force.
|
08 Feb 1985
|
VADM
Frank B. Kelso II
|
30 Jun 1986
|
6
|
1985, 14 Jun
1985, 07 Oct
1986, 15 Apr
|
• TWA Flt. 847
hijacked. Navy
diver Robert Stethem
killed.
• Italian cruise ship, Achille
Lauro,
with 80 passengers, plus crew is
hijacked by PLO.
• U.S.
planes attack Libyan
terrorist
centers.
|
Jun 1986
|
VADM
Kendall E. Moranville
|
20 Aug 1988
|
6
|
1987, 20 Jan
1987, 17 May
1988, 03 Jul
1986, 12 Sep
|
• Wm. Buckley, US.
hostage
in
Lebanon, reported slain.
• Iraqi missiles kill 37 in attack on
USS
Stark FFG-31 in Persian Gulf.
• USS Vincennes
CG-49 shoots
down Iranian Air Flight 655.
290 killed.
• Lebanese Shiites kidnap American
Joseph Cicippio
|
20 Aug 1988
|
VADM
James D. Williams
|
Nov 1990
|
6
|
1988, 20 Aug
1989, 04 Jan
1989, 11 Nov
1990, 06 Jul
1990, 02 Aug
|
• 8-year Iran-Iraq
war
ends
• Gulf
of Sidra incident. U.S. planes shoot
down 2 Libyan MiG-23 fighters.
• Berlin Wall
is open to West.
• Hezbollah kill Col. William R.
Higgins,
USMC.
• Iraq invades Kuwait.
|
Nov 1990
|
VADM
William A. "Bill" Owens
|
Jul 1992
|
6
|
1991, 15 Jan
1991, 03 Apr
1992, 01 Feb
|
• U.S. and Allies at war
with Iraq.
• Cease-fire ends Persian Gulf War.
• Bush and Yeltsin proclaim end to cold war.
|
Jul 1992
|
VADM
Thomas J. Lopez
|
Dec 1993
|
6
|
|
|
Dec 1993
|
VADM
Joseph W. Prueher
|
Apr 1995
|
6
|
|
|
Apr 1995
|
VADM
Donald L. Pilling
|
Jul 1996
|
6
|
|
|
Jul 1996
|
VADM
Charles S. Abbot
|
Jul 1998
|
6
|
1996, 31 Aug
02-03 Sep
|
• Iraqis strike at
Kurdish enclave
• U.S. attacks Iraq's southern air
defenses.
|
Jul 1998
|
VADM Daniel
J. Murphy, Jr.
|
Oct 2000
|
6
|
1998, 07 Aug
1999. 04 Sep
|
• U.S. embassies in
Kenya and
Tanzania are bombed.
• Israel and PLO announce peace
accord.
|
Oct 2000
|
VADM Gregory
G. Johnson
|
Oct 2001
|
6
|
2001, 11 Sep
|
• Terrorists attack US
World Trade
Center in NY City and the
Pentagon. Death toll is 3,000+.
Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda
are identified as behind the
attacks.
|
Oct 2001
|
VADM Scott
A. Fry
|
Nov 2003
|
6
|
2002, 02 Mar
2003, 19 Mar
2003, 09 Apr
2003, 19 Aug
2003, 15 Nov
|
• U.S. and Afghan troops
launch
Operation Anaconda against
al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters
in Afghanistan.
• The US and Britain launch war
against Iraq.
• Baghdad falls to U.S. troops.
• UN headquarters bombing in
Baghdad kills 24.
• Suicide bombers kill 25 in
synagogues in Istanbul.
|
Nov 2003
|
VADM Harry
G. Ulrich III
|
20 May 2005
|
6
|
2004, 11 Mar
2004, 29 Mar
|
• Terrorist attacks in
Spain kill
more than 200. Al-Qaeda takes
responsibility.
• NATO admits seven new
countries: Bulgaria, Estonia,
Latvia, Lithuania, Romania,
Slovakia, and Slovenia.
|
20 May
2005
|
VADM John
"Boomer" Stufflebeem
|
21 Sep 2007
|
6
|
2005, 24 Jun
2005, 07 Jul
|
• Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
wins
Iran's presidential election.
He defiantly pursues Iran's
nuclear ambitions.
• London hit by Islamic terrorist
bombings, killing 52 and
wounding about 700.
|
21 Sep 2007
|
RADM James
A. Winnefeld, Jr.
|
Aug 2008
|
6
|
|
|
Aug 2008
|
VADM Bruce
W. Clingan
|
Present
|
6
|
|
|
|
Other
Operations Involving the Sixth Fleet
(Some of these are links to other websites)
Operation
Blue Bat in Lebanon 15 Jul 58
USS
Liberty Incident
08-09 Jun 67
Operation
Eagle Claw 24 Apr 80
Operation
El Dorado Canyon 15 Apr 86
Operation Praying Mantis 18 Apr 88
Operation
Shining Hope Apr 99
Operation
Allied Force Mar - Jun 99
Operation
Joint Guardian 1999 - ongoing
|
SIXTH FLEET
COMMAND BASIC OVERVIEW
Since leaving Villefranche-sur-Mer, France in 1967, the U.S. Sixth
Fleet flagship has been stationed in Gaeta, Italy. The Sixth Fleet in
the Mediterranean Sea encompasses task forces, battle groups,
amphibious forces, support ships, land-based surveillance aircraft, and
submarines. Its role has been important since the early 19th century to
the U.S. Navy's commitment to forward presence.
As homeport to the Sixth Fleet flagship, Gaeta hosts the staff of USS
MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC/JCC20) as well as U.S. Naval Support Activity,
Gaeta. However, Gaeta's relationship with the U.S. Navy did not start
in 1967. Long before the USS Little Rock sailed into Gaeta's harbor,
Pope Pius IX and Ferdinand II, King of the two Kingdoms of Sicily, paid
visit to the USS Constitution in 1849. Eight flagships later, the ties
between the Italian and American communities have strengthened as
Americans come to Gaeta eager to experience a new culture and make new
friends.
The current Sixth Fleet flagship, the USS MOUNT WHITNEY, provides
command ship facilities and support to Commander, Naval Forces Europe
(CNE) / Commander, Sixth Fleet (COMSIXTHFLT), and his embarked staff.
With the ability and space available to embark a Joint Task Force staff
when necessary, USS MOUNT WHITNEY greatly increases the flexibility of
the U.S. Sixth Fleet commander and his staff. Additionally, MOUNT
WHITNEY has been outfitted with state-of-the-art command, control, and
communications electronic equipment. Any operation or
exercise involving sea, air, land, and amphibious forces can be
controlled and directed from the flagship while at sea or in port,
which further increases the U.S. Sixth Fleet's capability to respond to
crisis or contingency operations.
|
|
The present make-up of the 6th Fleet
Sixth Fleet currently consists of approximately 40 ships, 175 aircraft
and 21,000 people. The Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean is the major
operational component of Naval Forces Europe. The principal striking
power of the Sixth Fleet resides in its aircraft carriers and their
modern jet aircraft, its submarines, and its reinforced battalion of US
Marines on board amphibious ships deployed in the Mediterranean.
Commander, Sixth Fleet has both US national and NATO responsibilities.
He reports to the Commander-In-Chief, US Naval Forces, Europe
(CinCUSNavEur) in the US chain of command and to CinCSouth when the
Sixth Fleet operates as part of NATO as StrikForSouth.
CinC Naval Forces Europe, based in London, is responsible for US naval
operations in the European area, and also holds the NATO position of
CinC Allied Forces Southern Europe, responsible to the NATO Supreme
Allied Commander Europe. The CINC Naval Forces Europe does not have
administrative responsibilities for support of US naval forces in
Europe, which are under the cognizance of
CINC Atlantic Fleet.
The United States Sixth Fleet is operationally organized into task
forces. Each task force is responsible to the Sixth Fleet Commander for
specific functions
related to assigned units. The Sixth Fleet Command Ship is forward
deployed
to Gaeta, Italy.
Area of Operations: Mediterranean Sea
Headquarters: Naples, Italy
|
|
The Sixth
Fleet Task Forces
Task Force 60:
Task Force 60 is Sixth Fleet's Battle Force. It is composed of one or
more aircraft carriers, each with an accompanying complement of
approximately six
cruisers and destroyers. On board the aircraft carrier is an air wing
of
65 - 85 aircraft. The air wing is the primary striking arm of the
Battle Force,
and includes attack, fighter, anti-submarine, and reconnaissance
aircraft. Ships accompanying the carrier serve as defensive and
offensive platforms with duties involving anti-air, surface and
submarine warfare. In addition to its major role of controlling the
seas, the Battle Force can also project
its power over land.
Task Force 61:
Task Force 61 is the Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group (MARG). It is
composed of approximately three amphibious ships and their embarked
landing craft. From these ships, United States Marine ground forces can
move ashore by sea and air in amphibious assault of emergency
evacuation missions. Once ashore, the ships of Task Force 61
logistically support the ground forces, until the
objective of the landing has been accomplished, and the Marine Forces
return
to the ships.
Task Force 62:
Task Force 62 is the combat-ready ground force composed of a Marine
Expeditionary Unit (MEU) of approximately 1,800 Marines. Transported in
Task Force 61 ships, the MEU is equipped with armor, artillery, and
transport helicopters that enable it to conduct operations ashore, or
evacuate civilians from troubled areas.
Task Force 63:
Task Force 63 is the Logistics Force. Composed of oilers, provision
ships, and repair ships, its mission is the delivery of supplies at
sea, and effecting repairs to other ships and equipment of the Fleet.
Task Force 64:
Task Force 64 was the SSBN Force assigned to COMSIXTHFL. Until the end
of the 1970th these ships were homeported in Rota, Spain.
In times of war the COMSIXTHFL had not had direct influence on the
selection of the targets that would have been attacked by the SSBNs.
These targets were
annually chosen by the NATO's Nuclear Target Planning Group.
Task Force 66 / 69:
Task Force 66 / 69 is responsible for planning and coordinating area
submarine and anti-submarine warfare operations in the Mediterranean.
Specifically, Task Force 69 is composed of attack submarines that
provide capability to destroy enemy surface ships and submarines, as
well as protect other Sixth Fleet ships from attack.
Task Force 67:
Task Force 67 is composed of land-based maritime patrol aircraft. These
aircraft operate over the waters of the Mediterranean in anti-
submarine, reconnaissance, surveillance, and mining roles.
|
What Command does the "Sixth
Fleet" come under?
• The earliest formal presence of the US Navy was the Mediterranean
Squadron,
• which became the European Squadron following the
American Civil War
• In 1906 ships operating in the Mediterranean were part of the North
Atlantic Fleet (Squadron).
• In 1917, the title changed to United States Naval Forces
Operating in European Waters
• In 1922, Naval Forces, Europe (NAVEUR)
was
established.
• Nov 1946, NAVEUR became Commander, U.S. Naval
Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean COMNELM.
• In Apr 1947 COMNELM changed to Commander in Chief, U.S.
Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (CINCNELM).
• Jun 1951 CINCNELM joins with Commander in Chief,
Allied Forces
Southern Europe (CINCSOUTH) and headquarters moves from London to
Naples.
• Jun 1952, the two commands were separated. CINCNELM
Headquarters returned to London and CINCSOUTH remained in Naples
• Sep 1958 CINCNELM adds U.S. Commander Eastern Atlantic
(USCOMEASTLANT).
• Feb 1960 title changes to Commander in Chief, U.S.
Naval Forces, Europe (CINCUSNAVEUR). (CINCNELM title is
retained for command in the Middle East. CINCNELM is then
disestablished on 01 Feb 1964.)
• During most of the intervening years, CINCUSNAVEUR has
exercised direct command over four subordinate commanders:
Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet (COMSIXTHFLT)
Commander, Fleet Air Mediterranean
(COMFAIRMED)
Commander, Middle East Force
(COMIDEASTFOR)
Commander, U.S. Naval Activities,
United Kingdom (COMNAVACT UK).
• CINCSOUTH and CINCUSNAVEUR are joined on 01
Jan 1983.
• In 2002, the command changed its name to Commander, U.S.
Naval Forces, Europe (COMUSNAVEUR).
• Mar 15, 2004, NATO’s Joint Force Command (COMJFC)
Naples is activated. COMUSNAVEUR continues to be dual-hatted as
COMJFC Naples.
• Aug 2005 COMUSNAVEUR headquarters completed its
relocation to Naples, Italy from London.
|
* * * * Your input is important.
To submit changes, corrections, or new data, please contact the Webmaster. *
* * *
Contributors include:
Robert "Bob" Moody
USMC 1951-1954 /
Flag Marine 1952-1953 USS SALEM CA-139, USS NEWPORT NEWS CA-148, USS
DES MOINES CA-134
|
