United States Sixth Fleet

Template:TOC-right Since the end of the Second World War, United States Sixth Fleet has been the major United States Navy formation in the Mediterranean Sea. It is subordinate to the United States European Command (EUCOM). It is also the major NATO maritime force, often operating with non-U.S. navies. The Sixth Fleet is composed of one or more aircraft carrier strike groups and shore-based maritime patrol aircraft (e.g., P-3 Orion). Its flagship is the USS Mount Whitney, homeported in Gaeta, Italy. At the present time, the Commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet is also the Deputy Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Europe.

Chain of Command

VADM Bruce W. Clingan commands the 6th Fleet, Allied Joint Command Lisbon, and Striking and Support Forces NATO. He is also Joint Forces Maritime Component Commander of EUCOM.

Deputy Fleet Commander is RADM Charles J. "Joe" Leidig, Jr., who is also Director, Naval Forces Europe, Operations and Intelligence; Commander Submarines, Allied Naval Forces South; Commander, Submarine Group 8

History of the US Sixth Fleet

During the Second World War, most Allied naval operations not associated with amphibious warfare were conducted by the Royal Navy. The U.S. Sixth Fleet, however, became prominent in the Cold War, as well as conflicts in Arab nations and in Arab-Israeli wars. Its ships were involved in operations against Iraq, although the United States Fifth Fleet is the naval component of the United States Central Command and would direct their use in operations in the Central Command area. Essentially, the Sixth Fleet jurisdiction ends at the east coast of the Mediterranean.