• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Commander, 2nd Fleet Changes Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080808-13
Release Date: 8/8/2008 3:33:00 PM

From Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Second Fleet changes command aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) at Naval Station Norfolk Aug. 8.

Vice Adm. Melvin G. Williams, Jr. relieved Vice Adm. Marty Chanik and assumed the responsibilities as Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet and Director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence.

The change of command also served as a retirement ceremony for Chanik after 35 years of naval service.

Chanik assumed command of 2nd Fleet in November 2006, training and equipping four Carrier Strike Groups and three Expeditionary Strike Groups to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Maritime Security Operations.

During his tenure, Chanik led 2nd Fleet to its preliminary accreditation as a Maritime Headquarters with a Maritime Operation Center (MOC) bringing unprecedented clarity and coordination to maritime battlespace, and accomplished 2nd Fleet's certification as a Joint Task Force capable headquarters.

"Recently 2nd Fleet has been designated as a ready Joint Task Force Headquarters," said Chanik. "We've worked hard over the last year on getting and maintaining that qualification and working on the leading edge about how to man, train, equip and sustain as a Joint Task Force."

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert presided over the ceremony, praising Chanik's efforts, and welcoming Williams.

Chanik addressed Williams by saying "you've got a great team here and I have no doubt with your leadership that you will take this team to even greater heights and move them forward."

Williams most recently served as Deputy Commander, U.S Fleet Forces Command. He is a 1978 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

"As we move forward and continue to accomplish our mission with excellence as our standard, today and in the future, in the Atlantic and globally we're going to move ahead where (Vice) Adm. Chanik laid the foundation," said Williams to the 2nd Fleet staff.

Guest speaker Adm. Robert F. Willard spoke about the importance of family in Chanik's naval career.

"So much of our careers take place away from our families," said Willard. "I think it's terrific that everyone is here to celebrate this monumental career and departure."

Chanik was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his accomplishments.

During his 35-year career, Chanik has served with distinction at sea and ashore. Chanik has amassed more than 4,800 flight hours and 850 carrier arrested landings. At sea, he has commanded Fighter Squadron 84 (VF 84), the "Jolly Rogers," USS Camden (AOE 2), USS Enterprise (CVN 65), and Carrier Group 3 aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).

Ashore, he served at the Naval Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) as an instructor in graduate level tactics; on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations as Head, Aviation Plans and Requirements and, later, as the Director, Programming Division; and as the Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia.
His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy
Commendation Medal with Combat "V," and various service and campaign awards.

For more news from Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c2f/.