US Navy reestablishing 2nd Fleet

Chief of US Naval Operations, Adm. John Richardson, unveiled plans to reestablish the US 2nd Fleet amid the increasing power competition on a global scale.

This was announced during a change of command ceremony for US Fleet Forces Command (USFF) in Norfolk on May 4.

Second Fleet will likely be reactivated on July 1.

As informed, Second Fleet will exercise operational and administrative authorities over assigned ships, aircraft and landing forces on the East Coast and northern Atlantic Ocean.

Additionally, it will plan and conduct maritime, joint and combined operations and will train, certify and provide maritime forces to respond to global contingencies. Commander, 2nd Fleet will report to USFF.

“Our National Defense Strategy makes clear that we’re back in an era of great power competition as the security environment continues to grow more challenging and complex,” Richardson said.

“That’s why today, we’re standing up Second Fleet to address these changes, particularly in the north Atlantic,” he added.

Second Fleet was disestablished in 2011 and many of its personnel, assets and responsibilities were merged into USFF.