Second Fleet Marks Its Anniversary with Ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090228-02
Release Date: 2/28/2009 9:40:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Barrie Barber, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's 2nd Fleet, an armada of warships that has served the nation from the Cuban missile crisis to hurricane relief along the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast, celebrated its 63rd anniversary Feb. 27 at Naval Station Norfolk.
"I believe that people who lead and serve in top performing organizations should celebrate their heritage and honor their traditions," said Vice Adm. Mel Williams Jr., commander, 2nd Fleet. "As we celebrate our command's birthday, we can be proud.
"U.S. 2nd Fleet is focused on executing safe and effective fleet operations, providing ready maritime forces for global assignment and teaming with allies and partners in execution of the maritime strategy," said Williams.
The Combined Joint Operation from the Sea Centre of Excellence (CJOS COE), a multinational NATO group promoting Joint Maritime Expeditionary Operations Transformation, also commemorated its third anniversary during the ceremony.
"Second Fleet and the Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence have been forged by our core values and have a legacy of outstanding service by people who, whether in peacetime or war, have maintained the highest standards of excellence," Williams said.
Royal Navy Commodore Robert J. Mansergh, deputy director of the CJOS COE at 2nd Fleet headquarters, said the "innovative spirit" of the fleet teamed with the centre of excellence is crucial to better tactics and strategies in partnership with NATO.
"The centre's mission is to develop the world's preeminent maritime forces," he said. "Multinational exercises have led to greater interoperability."
Mansergh pointed out the example of French Navy Rafale M fighter jets that conducted carrier qualifications last year aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during Joint Task Force "Operation Brimstone" off the Atlantic coast.
"This was truly a significant milestone," said Mansergh.
Second Fleet has sailed for decades responding to crises around the globe, from rescuing Americans during Operation Urgent Fury on the Caribbean island of Grenada to deploying warships to Southwest Asia to conduct maritime security operations.
The storied maritime force traces its genesis to March 1, 1946, when Vice Adm. Marc A. Mitscher took command of 8th Fleet, later renamed 2nd Task Fleet in January 1947. The Norfolk-based maritime force took on its current name in February 1950.
The area of responsibility spans the Atlantic from the North to the South Poles, and from the United States coastline to western Europe, but its forces deploy worldwide.
Throughout its history, 2nd Fleet's Sailors, ships, submarines and aircraft have played a pivotal role answering the call to homeland defense and responding to global crises.
The fleet trained half the U.S. Navy warships involved in Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, for example.
Fleet vessels regularly engage in maritime training, such as combined joint task force exercises with interservice and international partners.
The fleet was certified as a joint task force (JTF) capable headquarters during Fuerzas Aliadas/Panamax 2007. The next year, the fleet completed JTF HQ certification sustainment training during composite unit training exercises with the strike groups USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7).
At home, 2nd Fleet Sailors and ships have lent a crucial helping hand in disaster relief along the Gulf Coast. In the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe in 2005, USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) acted as a command center and floating airfield to aid New Orleans citizens and emergency responders. USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and USS Bataan (LHD 5) joined the relief armada, among other ships, conducting rescues and ferrying in food and water to displaced survivors.
Most recently, USS Nassau (LHA 4) responded to the devastation of Hurricane Ike in Galveston, Texas, in August.
The fleet's anniversary is a reaffirmation of a long commitment to service, said Information Systems Technician 1st Class (SW) Shaun Sabio, a fleet Sailor.
"It's a reminder of what our duties are, what we're here to do for our country and for our command," he said.
For more news from Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c2f/.
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