4th Fleet Reestablished

The Navy reestablished the U.S. 4th Fleet during a July 12 ceremony at Mayport Naval Station, Fla., with the mission of supporting U.S. Southern Command operations in the Caribbean and Central and South America. Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan, who succeeded Rear Adm. James W. Stevenson Jr., as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, will also serve as 4th Fleet’s new commander. Mayport will serve as 4th Fleet’s home base; it will also share infrastructure there with Naval Forces SOUTHCOM. The reestablishment recognizes the increased strategic interest in the region. The original 4th Fleet was established during World War II and was disestablished in 1950.