By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alan Gragg, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs
MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- The Navy marked the first anniversary of U.S. 4th Fleet's re-establishment July 12 and reflected on its accomplishments, both internally and throughout its area of focus.
U.S. 4th Fleet was first established in 1943 as one of the original numbered fleets during World War II, but after seven years of protecting the United States against raiders, blockade runners and enemy submarines in the South Atlantic, the command was disestablished when U.S. 2nd Fleet took over its responsibilities.
One year ago, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead officially re-established U.S. 4th Fleet and named Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan as its commander during a change of command and re-establishment ceremony at Naval Station Mayport. Kernan also assumed command of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO), the naval component of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
U.S. 4th Fleet headquarters are co-located in Mayport, Fla., with NAVSO. NAVSO and 4th Fleet are responsible for U.S. Navy operations throughout the SOUTHCOM area of focus, which encompasses the Caribbean, Central and South America and surrounding waters.
Kernan served as NAVSO and 4th Fleet commander until he was relieved of both duties by Rear Adm. Victor G. Guillory during a change of command ceremony June 12.
Guillory most recently served as the Director, Surface Warfare Division in the Office of Chief of Naval Operations, where he was responsible for managing the war fighting requirements and resources for all surface combatant ships and combat systems.
"Fourth Fleet was re-established because it reflects a commitment to Latin America, which has been demonstrated through 4th Fleet's partnering, humanitarian and counter-illicit trafficking activities," said Guillory. "Through the relentless efforts of this superior staff, 4th Fleet has expanded the scope of our engagements and humanitarian activities and has set an impressive standard in the U.S. Navy for planning and execution of these key maritime missions."
During the first year, 4th Fleet supported the U.S. global maritime strategy by participating in regional counter-drug operations, humanitarian deployments and partnership building missions. Additionally, 4th Fleet worked with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), partner nations' representatives and interagency organizations for mission planning and execution.
U.S. Navy assets deployed throughout 4th Fleet's area of focus were involved in nearly 80 interdictions, resulting in more than 126 metric tons of illicit drugs confiscated since the re-establishment
In its first year, 4th Fleet managed several deployments and exercises throughout the region. One of those deployments was the Continuing Promise (CP) mission. CP is conducted annually to foster goodwill and demonstrate U.S. commitment and support to Latin America and the Caribbean. Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) brought health care and other relief services to eight Latin American and Caribbean nations during the Atlantic Phase of the humanitarian and civic assistance mission in 2008. Kearsarge conducted missions in five nations: Nicaragua, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana.
In September 2008, 4th Fleet diverted Kearsarge to Haiti to support international relief operations after numerous hurricanes and tropical storms ravaged the area. During the mission, the ship provided robust air and sealift support, delivering 3.3 million pounds of food, water and other aid. Medical teams from the ship also provided limited health care and assessment to affected communities.
CP09 is currently being conducted by Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), operating under 4th Fleet operational control. Comfort departed Norfolk, Va., April 1, beginning a four-month deployment to Antigua, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua and Panama. To date, medical teams aboard Comfort, in partnership with other government agencies and non-governmental organizations, have treated more than 75,000 patients and conducted more than 1,116 surgeries.
Another ongoing 4th Fleet deployment is the Southern Partnership Station (SPS) mission. In 2007, High Speed Vessel (HSV-2) Swift conducted a joint, multinational and interagency cooperation mission with seven partner nations, including Barbados, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Jamaica, Panama and Nicaragua. The SPS mission also included the first ever Navy Diver Southern Partnership Station (ND-SPS) aboard the Military Sealift Command (MSC) rescue and salvage ship USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51). During the three-month deployment, Grasp's embarked U.S. Navy divers provided joint and bilateral training to partner nation coast guard and maritime police forces in Antigua, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Currently, 4th Fleet is conducting the Southern Cone phase of SPS 2009, involving the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51). The deployment is designed to maintain a consistent at-sea presence in the region with minimal footprint ashore, continue to strengthen regional interoperability by improving partner nation operational capabilities and skills and build new partnerships by engaging countries not involved during previous SPS deployments.
Fuerzas Aliadas (FA) PANAMAX is an annual partnership-building exercise during which 4th Fleet serves as the maritime force commander. Each year, regional forces participate in one of the world's largest multinational training exercises focused on defending the Panama Canal, one of the most strategically and economically important waterways in the world.
In spring 2009, 4th Fleet hosted maritime forces from 11 countries for the annual multinational maritime exercise UNITAS, which took place in Mayport and off the Coast of Florida. "UNITAS Gold" marked the 50th iteration of the exercise, yet it was the first time the event had ever taken place in the U.S.
"The many accomplishments of 4th Fleet's first year are a result of the naval assets that operated in the region working together with regional partners to enhance maritime security throughout our area of focus," said Guillory. "I look forward to building upon these successes and furthering our partnering efforts as 4th Fleet goes forward into its second year."