U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= United States Naval Forces Southern Command


caption=United States Naval Forces Southern Command Emblem
dates= 2000 - present
country= United States
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branch= US Navy
type= Theater Command
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command_structure= U.S. Fourth Fleet
U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)
garrison= Naval Station Mayport, Florida
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commander1= Rear Admiral Joseph D. Kernan
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U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (also known as USNAVSO) is the naval element of United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). Its areas of operation include South America, Central America, the Caribbean and surrounding waters. Its headquarters are located at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. As of July 1 2008, USNAVSO is currently under the command of Rear Admiral Joseph D. Kernan.

Mission

USNAVSO directs all U.S. naval forces in its Area of Responsibility. It also coordinates with partner nations to shape the maritime environment. USNAVSO works to strengthen and build effective alliance and friendships, develop partner nation capabilities, and maintain U.S. operational access to defend the United States.

USNAVO's strategy focuses primarily upon cooperation with other nations and includes multi-national exercises, port visits, humanitarian missions, disaster relief, and counter-drug operations. USNAVO is also involved in the annual UNITAS deployment in South America.

U.S. Fourth Fleet

On April 24, 2008, Admiral Gary Roughead, the Chief of Naval Operations, announced that the United States Fourth Fleet would be re-established, effective July 1, with responsible for U.S. Navy ships, aircraft and submarines operating in the Caribbean Sea, as well as Central and South America. Rear Admiral Joseph D. Kernan was named Commander, Fourth Fleet and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command. [ [http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11862] Navy Re-Establishes U.S. Fourth Fleet - DOD New Release No. 338-07 - April 24, 2008]

History

The US Naval Forces Southern Command was established in February 2000 with its headquarters Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. USNAVSO consolidated the Navy's Western Hemisphere Group and the South Atlantic Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. The headquarters was moved to Naval Station Mayport, Florida in 2004.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.cusns.navy.mil/ Commander, USNAVSO Official Website]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/navso.htm USNAVSO Page at GlobalSecurity]