The U.S. Seventh Fleet was established on March 15, 1943 when the Southwest Pacific Force was renamed. Today it is the largest forward-deployed U.S. fleet and its area of responsibility includes the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet participated in several Pacific campaigns, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines during World War II as the naval component commander under Supreme Commander Southwest Pacific Area, General Douglas MacArthur. After WWII, on Jan. 1, 1947 the Fleet's name was changed to Naval Forces Western Pacific. On Aug. 19, 1949 just prior to the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, the force was designated as U.S. Seventh Task Fleet. On Feb 11, 1950 the force assumed the name that it holds today -- United States Seventh Fleet.

Seventh Fleet units participated in every major operation of the Korean War. The first Navy jet aircraft used in combat was launched from a Task Force 77 carrier on July 3, 1950 and the famous landings in Inchon, Korea were conducted by Seventh Fleet amphibious ships. The battleships Missouri, New Jersey, Iowa and Wisconsin all served as flagships for Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet during the Korean War.

During the Vietnam War, Seventh Fleet engaged in combat operations against enemy forces through attack carrier air strikes, naval gunfire support, amphibious operations, patrol and reconnaissance operations and mine warfare. After the 1973 cease-fire, the Fleet conducted mine countermeasures operations in the coastal waterways of North Vietnam.

In response to the Aug. 2, 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, President George Bush directed Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet to assume additional responsibilities as Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. The Fleet Commander departed Yokosuka, Japan immediately for the Arabian Gulf and was joined by the remainder of his staff aboard his flagship, USS Blue Ridge, on Sept. 1, 1990. During Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, COMUSNAVCENT exercised command and control of the largest U.S. Navy armada since World War II. At the peak of combat operations, more than 130 U.S. Navy ships joined more than 50 allied ships to form a multi-national maritime force to conduct maritime intercept operations, minesweeping and combat strike operations against enemy forces in Iraq and Kuwait. COMUSNAVCENT included six aircraft carrier battle groups, two battleships, two hospital ships, 31 amphibious assault ships, four minesweeping and numerous combatants in support of allied air and ground forces.

After a decisive allied victory in the Gulf, Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet relinquished control of COMUSNAVCENT to Commander, Middle East Force on April 24, 1991 and returned to Yokosuka, Japan to continue duties as Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet.

In 1994, Seventh Fleet was assigned the additional responsibility as Commander, Combined Naval Component Command for the defense of South Korea. Subsequently, Commander, Seventh Fleet was named one of three primary Joint Task Force Commanders responsible to Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command.

In 1996, Commander, Seventh Fleet planned and organized a deployment of forces in response to tensions in the Taiwan Strait. In 1998, Seventh Fleet staff deployed on short notice to plan and prepare for the evacuation of American citizens from Indonesia.

Since 2001, Seventh Fleet has taken an active role in the Global War on Terrorism by providing guidance, support and security to countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

After the devastating earthquake off Sumatra, Indonesia ? and the resulting tsunamis ? ravaged much of Southeast Asia in December 2004, Seventh Fleet units began providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to many countries during Operation Unified Assistance. That assistance included aid from the U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19).

Fleet Commanders

Vice Adm. Arthur S. Carpenter 15 March 1943 - 26 November 1943
ViceAdm. Thomas C. Kinkaid 26 November 1943 - 20 November 1945
Vice Adm. Daniel E. Barbey 20 November 1945 - 2 October 1946
Vice Adm. Charles M. Cooke 2 October 1946 - 28 February 1948
Vice Adm. Oscar. C. Badger 28 February 1948 - 28 Aug 1949
Vice Adm. Russell S. Berkey 28 August 1949 - 5 April 1950
Rear Adm. Walter. F. Boone 5 April 1950 - 20 May 1950
Vice Adm. Arthur D. Struble 29 May 1950 - 28 March 1951
Vice Adm. Harold. M. Martin 28 March 1951 - 3 March 1952
Vice Adm. Robert. P. Briscoe 3 Mar 1952 - 20 May 1952
Vice Adm. Joseph. J. Clark 20 May 1952 - 1 December 1953
Vice Adm. Alfred M. Pride 1 December 1953 - 9 December 1955
Vice Adm. Stuart H. Ingersoll 19 December 1955 - 28 January 1957
Vice Adm. Wallace M. Beakley 28 January 1957 - 30 September 1958
Vice Adm. Frederick N. Kivette 30 September 1958 - 7 March 1960
Vice Adm. Charles D. Griffin 7 March 1960 - 28 October 1961
Vice Adm. William A. Schoech 28 October 1961 - 13 October 1962
Vice Adm. Thomas H. Moorer 13 October 1962 - 15 June 1964
Vice Adm. Roy L. Johnson 15 June 1964 - 1 March 1965
Vice Adm. Paul P. Blackburn 1 March 1965 - 9 October 1965
Rear Adm. Joseph W. Williams, Jr. 9 October 1965 - 13 December 1965
Vice Adm. John J. Hyland 13 December 1965 - 6 November 1967
Vice Adm. William F. Bringle 06 November 1967 - 10 March 1970
Vice Adm. Maurice F. Weisner 10 March 1970 - 18 June 1971
Vice Adm. William P. Mack 18 June 1971 - 23 May 1972
Vice Adm. James L. Holloway, III 23 May 1972 - 28 July 1973
Vice Adm. George P. Steele 28 July 1973 - 14 June 1975
Vice Adm. Thomas B. Hayward 14 June 1975 - 24 July 1976
Vice Adm. Robert B. Baldwin 24 July 1976 - 31 May 1978
Vice Adm. Sylvester Robert Foley, Jr. 31 May 1978 - 14 February 1980
Vice Adm. Carlisle A.H. Trost 14 February 1980 - 15 September 1981
Vice Adm. Martin Stasser Holcomb 15 September 1981 - 9 May 1983
Vice Adm. James R. Hogg 9 May 1983 - 4 Mar 1985
Vice Adm. Paul F. McCarthy, Jr. 4 March 1985 - 9 December 1986
Vice Adm. Paul D. Miller 9 December 1986 - 21 October 1988
Vice Adm. Henry H. Mauz, Jr. 21 October 1988 - 1 December 1990
Vice Adm. Stanley R. Arthur 1 December 1990 - 3 July 1992
Vice Adm. Timothy W. Wright 3 July 1992 - 28 July 1994
Vice Adm. Archie R. Clemins 28 July 1994 - 13 September 1996
Vice Adm. Robert J. Natter 13 September 1996 - 12 August 1998
Vice Adm. Walter F. Doran 12 August 1998 - 12 July 2000
Vice Adm. James W. Metzger 12 July 2000 - 18 July 2002
Vice Adm. Robert F. Willard 18 July 2002 - 6 August 2004
Vice Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert 6 August 2004 - Present