The Fast Carrier Task Force was the main striking force of the United States Navy in the Pacific War from January 1944 through the end of the war in September 1945. The task force was made up of several separate task groups, each typically built around three to four aircraft carriers and their supporting vessels. The support vessels were screening destroyers, cruisers, and the newly built fast battleships.
Task Force 38 at Ulithi in December 1944
Admiral Marc Mitscher aboard the USS Lexington
As Task Force 58, moving under the cover of a combat air patrol, 1944
As Task Force 38, maneuvering off the Japanese coast, 17 August 1945
United States Fifth Fleet
The Fifth Fleet is a numbered fleet of the United States Navy. Its area of responsibility encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles, and includes the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. It shares a commander and headquarters with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) in Bahrain. Fifth Fleet/NAVCENT is a component command of, and reports to, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
U.S. Navy, Royal Navy, and Royal Australian Navy destroyers and frigates on joint operations in the Persian Gulf.
Image: Ray Spruance (cropped)
Image: CINCPAC ADM Towers
Image: V Adm Frederick C. Sherman
