U.S. Naval Fourth Fleet Re-Established
Admiral Roughead Assigns Rear Admiral Kernan As Commander
The United States Navy Chief of Naval Operations announced the resumption of the Navy Fourth Fleet on Tuesday. In an effort to demonstrate the commitment and dedication that the United States has for its regional partners, and to address the importance of maritime security in the southern Western Hemisphere, the Chief of Naval Operations announced the Re-Establishment of the U.S. Navy Fourth Fleet.
 CNO Admiral Gary Roughead announced that he was naming the Commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, Rear Admiral Joseph D. Kernan as the new Commander for Naval Fourth Fleet. The responsibility of the Naval Fourth Fleet will include aircraft, vessels, ships and Naval submarines operating in Central and South America, as well as fleet operations in the Caribbean and throughout the region.
Rear Admiral Kernan is currently the U.S. Navy’s top SEAL, and first Navy SEAL to assume command of a Naval numbered Fleet. He has come up from the ranks, graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1977 and serving as an Officer in several different commands over the years. He was involved in commanding units of Seal Team 5, and also served as Detachment Officer -In-Charge of four different deployed Seal Team Platoons. Rear Admiral Kernan also served as the Executive officer at Naval Special Warfare Unit 1 in Subic Bay, The Philippines.
Beginning July 1st the Navy Fourth Fleet will deal with complete operational responsibility of all U.S. Navy ships, vessels and assets that are assigned from the West and East Coast Fleets that works in the SOUTHCOM operational arena. Because of this the Fourth Fleet Navy Operations will not increase the amount of forces that are home ported in Mayport, Florida.
These assets now under Fourth Fleet Command will work to counter narcotics traffic and narcotics terrorist activities, illegal smuggling and other security theater concerns. The assets contributed from both the West and East Coast Fleets will operate under Navy Fourth Fleet Command when performing missions in the SOUTHCOM region. The Fourth Fleet will continue with responsibility in the region as Navy NAVSO, the command component for SOUTHCOM.
Its continuing mission will be to direct the forces of the United States Navy operating in Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean region, and fostering positive and cooperative relations with partner nation Navies to help guide the total maritime environment. U.S Naval Forces Southern Command will be dual -hatted with the Fourth Fleet, and the existing NAVSO Command is currently based in Mayport, Florida.
The re establishment of the Fourth Fleet is to help address U.S. government commitment to regional partner nations as well as continue to maintain maritime shipping safety in the SOUTHCOM U.S. Southern Command theater. Assets assigned to Navy Fourth Fleet will continue to conduct missions and different theater contingency operations, as well as TSC Theater security cooperation functions. The Navy Fourth Fleet TSC mission includes a commitment to bilateral training with other nations, military to military cooperation with partner nations, and in country partnerships and humanitarian assistance upon request.
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