United States Naval Forces Europe
Encyclopedia
United States Naval Forces Europe is the United States Navy
component of the United States European Command
and provides forces for United States African Command.
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (COMUSNAVEUR) provides overall command, operational control, and coordination of U.S. Naval Forces in the European Command area of responsibility. As the Navy component in Europe, COMUSNAVEUR, plans, conducts, and supports naval operations in the European theater during peacetime, contingencies, in general war and as tasked by Commander, U.S. European Command. With its headquarters now at Naval Support Activity Naples
, Italy, COMUSNAVEUR directs all its naval operations through Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet (COMSIXTHFLT) based in Gaeta
, Italy, and support activities ashore through Commander, Navy Region Europe (CNRE), headquartered in Naples
, Italy. , Naval Forces Europe is commanded by Admiral
Samuel J. Locklear III
, who also serves as NATO's Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples
. By a directive of 20 September 2005, Naval Forces Europe and Sixth Fleet were merged
following the American Civil War
, the forces were combined as part of the North Atlantic Fleet in 1906. In 1917, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters was established for the duration of World War I
.
In 1922, Naval Forces, Europe was established. The interwar history of this command is uncertain, but in March 1942, the duties of the existing Special Naval Observer London were expanded to command naval forces. Commander, Naval Forces, Europe was established to maintain Navy bases in the United Kingdom and to report intelligence and research data being provided by Allied intelligence organizations. Numerous liaison channels were opened with the British Government and with governments in exile. The command also assisted in the planning and preparation of the invasions of North Africa and France. By 1944 the headquarters had been established at 20 Grosvenor Square
, in central London. The building was only vacated by the Navy when the HQ moved to Italy in 2009.
When Admiral Harold R. Stark became COMNAVEUR in April 1942, he was given the additional duties as Commander, United States Twelfth Fleet
. The fleet, which operated in European waters, consisted of one battleship
, two cruiser
s, an aircraft carrier
and six destroyer
s.
By autumn of 1945, the chief function of the U.S. Navy in the occupied countries was completed; enemy naval forces had been disarmed, war material had been located and accounted for, and harbors had been reopened and were in operation. As operational emphasis changed and the geographical area expanded, the command’s title was changed to more specifically define the Navy’s role. In November 1946, COMNAVEUR became COMNELM (Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean) and six months later, in April 1947, the title was changed once again, this time to Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (CINCNELM). A Northern European Force of five to six ships (cruisers and destroyers) were active from 1946 to 1956.
Admiral Robert B. Carney became CINCNELM in December 1950. In June 1951, he assumed additional duty as Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe (CINCSOUTH), and the CINCNELM Headquarters was moved from London to Naples. In June 1952, the two commands were separated: the CINCNELM Headquarters returned to London and Admiral Jerauld Wright
became CINCNELM and Admiral Carney remained in Naples as CINCSOUTH. In September 1958, Admiral James L. Holloway, Jr.
, CINCNELM, was assigned additional duty as U.S. Commander Eastern Atlantic (USCOMEASTLANT). Under the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
, USCOMEASTLANT provided intelligence and logistic support for LANTFLT units deployed in the USCOMEASTLANT area.
In February 1960, the title of the command was changed to Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe (CINCUSNAVEUR) and the CINCNELM title was retained for command in the Middle East from Turkey
and Egypt
to the middle of the Indian Ocean. Although these were separate commands, they were placed under the control of one commander. The CINCNELM command was disestablished on 1 February 1964. During most of the intervening years, CINCUSNAVEUR has exercised direct command over four subordinate commanders: Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet (COMSIXTHFLT); Commander, Fleet Air Mediterranean (COMFAIRMED); Commander, Middle East Force (COMIDEASTFOR) (until 1983); and Commander, U.S. Naval Activities, United Kingdom
(COMNAVACT UK). Because of the increased sensitivity of the Persian Gulf
area, COMIDEASTFOR was assigned to the administrative command of COMUSNAVCENT (Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
) on 1 October 1983.
CINCSOUTH and CINCUSNAVEUR once again shared an Admiral when Admiral William J. Crowe
, Jr., who was CINCSOUTH, also took the title of CINCUSNAVEUR on 1 January 1983. Admiral Crowe retained his NATO command and headquarters in Naples, Italy. Vice Admiral Ronald J. Hays
, in London, became Deputy CINCUSNAVEUR and retained the title of USCOMEASTLANT. The CINCUSNAVEUR Headquarters remained in London with Admiral Crowe spending time at both locations. The responsibility of U.S. Commander Eastern Atlantic was added to that of the Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern Europe and Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe on 28 February 1989 during Admiral James Buchanan Busey, IV’s assignment as Commander in Chief.
In 2002, the command changed its name to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe (COMUSNAVEUR).
On 15 March 2004, NATO’s Joint Force Command (JFC) Naples
was activated and its predecessor command, Allied Forces Southern Europe was deactivated.
COMUSNAVEUR continues to be dual-hatted as COMJFC Naples. In August 2005 COMUSNAVEUR headquarters completed its relocation to Naples, Italy from London in the United Kingdom. It is now co-located with his NATO headquarters. U.S. Naval Activities, United Kingdom
was deactivated in September 2007.
USNAVEUR is now focusing more attention on Africa, specifically the Gulf of Guinea
region, partially because of the increasing importance of the oil reserves
there. Ships are now often deploying to aid regional African navies, of which the most important in the region is the Nigerian Navy
. Connected with this effort, a new geographic combatant command, United States Africa Command
, is being stood up and is scheduled for completion in September 2008, which may mean a realignment of USN responsibilities for the West African area. As a result, NAVEUR is now sometimes referred to as US Naval Forces Europe-Africa and even NAVAF. There is currently however no approved plan to establish a separate Naval Forces Africa HQ. Two new task groups are active, Commander Task Group 60.4 which runs the Africa Partnership Station
deployment series, and Commander Task Group 60.5, the Southeast Africa Task Group.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
component of the United States European Command
United States European Command
The United States European Command is one of ten Unified Combatant Commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers and 51 countries and territories, including Europe, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and Israel...
and provides forces for United States African Command.
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (COMUSNAVEUR) provides overall command, operational control, and coordination of U.S. Naval Forces in the European Command area of responsibility. As the Navy component in Europe, COMUSNAVEUR, plans, conducts, and supports naval operations in the European theater during peacetime, contingencies, in general war and as tasked by Commander, U.S. European Command. With its headquarters now at Naval Support Activity Naples
Naval Support Activity Naples
Naval Support Activity Naples is a United States Navy base, at Naples Airport in Naples, Italy. It is home to United States Naval Forces Europe and the United States Sixth Fleet.-History:...
, Italy, COMUSNAVEUR directs all its naval operations through Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet (COMSIXTHFLT) based in Gaeta
Gaeta
Gaeta is a city and comune in the province of Latina, in Lazio, central Italy. Set on a promontory stretching towards the Gulf of Gaeta, it is 120 km from Rome and 80 km from Naples....
, Italy, and support activities ashore through Commander, Navy Region Europe (CNRE), headquartered in Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, Italy. , Naval Forces Europe is commanded by Admiral
Admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, admiral is a four-star flag officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. Admiral ranks above vice admiral and below Fleet Admiral in the Navy; the Coast Guard and the Public Health...
Samuel J. Locklear III
Samuel J. Locklear
Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, USN is current Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe which he concurrently serves as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and NATO's Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples. He previously served as Director, Navy Staff from July 2009 to October 2010...
, who also serves as NATO's Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples
Allied Joint Force Command Naples
Allied Joint Force Command Naples is a NATO military command. It was activated on 15 March 2004, after what was effectively a redesignation of its predecessor command, Allied Forces Southern Europe , originally formed in 1951...
. By a directive of 20 September 2005, Naval Forces Europe and Sixth Fleet were merged
History
The earliest presence of U.S. Navy forces in Europe was the Mediterranean Squadron.the European SquadronEuropean Squadron
The European Squadron, also known as the European Station, was a part of the United States Navy in the late 19th century and the early 1900s. The squadron was originally named the Mediterranean Squadron and renamed following the American Civil War...
following the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, the forces were combined as part of the North Atlantic Fleet in 1906. In 1917, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters was established for the duration of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
In 1922, Naval Forces, Europe was established. The interwar history of this command is uncertain, but in March 1942, the duties of the existing Special Naval Observer London were expanded to command naval forces. Commander, Naval Forces, Europe was established to maintain Navy bases in the United Kingdom and to report intelligence and research data being provided by Allied intelligence organizations. Numerous liaison channels were opened with the British Government and with governments in exile. The command also assisted in the planning and preparation of the invasions of North Africa and France. By 1944 the headquarters had been established at 20 Grosvenor Square
Grosvenor Square
Grosvenor Square is a large garden square in the exclusive Mayfair district of London, England. It is the centrepiece of the Mayfair property of the Duke of Westminster, and takes its name from their surname, "Grosvenor".-History:...
, in central London. The building was only vacated by the Navy when the HQ moved to Italy in 2009.
When Admiral Harold R. Stark became COMNAVEUR in April 1942, he was given the additional duties as Commander, United States Twelfth Fleet
United States Twelfth Fleet
The Twelfth Fleet was a unit of the United States Navy and was operational from October 1st, 1943. The fleet began demoblization in late 1945 was disestablished in 1946....
. The fleet, which operated in European waters, consisted of one battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
, two cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...
s, an aircraft carrier
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
and six destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
s.
By autumn of 1945, the chief function of the U.S. Navy in the occupied countries was completed; enemy naval forces had been disarmed, war material had been located and accounted for, and harbors had been reopened and were in operation. As operational emphasis changed and the geographical area expanded, the command’s title was changed to more specifically define the Navy’s role. In November 1946, COMNAVEUR became COMNELM (Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean) and six months later, in April 1947, the title was changed once again, this time to Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (CINCNELM). A Northern European Force of five to six ships (cruisers and destroyers) were active from 1946 to 1956.
Admiral Robert B. Carney became CINCNELM in December 1950. In June 1951, he assumed additional duty as Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe (CINCSOUTH), and the CINCNELM Headquarters was moved from London to Naples. In June 1952, the two commands were separated: the CINCNELM Headquarters returned to London and Admiral Jerauld Wright
Jerauld Wright
Admiral Jerauld Wright, USN, served as the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Command and the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S...
became CINCNELM and Admiral Carney remained in Naples as CINCSOUTH. In September 1958, Admiral James L. Holloway, Jr.
James L. Holloway, Jr.
Admiral James Lemuel Holloway, Jr. was a four-star admiral in the United States Navy who served as superintendent of the United States Naval Academy from 1947–1950; as chief of naval personnel from 1953–1957; and as commander in chief of all United States naval forces in the eastern Atlantic and...
, CINCNELM, was assigned additional duty as U.S. Commander Eastern Atlantic (USCOMEASTLANT). Under the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
U.S. Atlantic Fleet
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
, USCOMEASTLANT provided intelligence and logistic support for LANTFLT units deployed in the USCOMEASTLANT area.
In February 1960, the title of the command was changed to Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe (CINCUSNAVEUR) and the CINCNELM title was retained for command in the Middle East from Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
to the middle of the Indian Ocean. Although these were separate commands, they were placed under the control of one commander. The CINCNELM command was disestablished on 1 February 1964. During most of the intervening years, CINCUSNAVEUR has exercised direct command over four subordinate commanders: Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet (COMSIXTHFLT); Commander, Fleet Air Mediterranean (COMFAIRMED); Commander, Middle East Force (COMIDEASTFOR) (until 1983); and Commander, U.S. Naval Activities, United Kingdom
U.S. Naval Activities, United Kingdom
Commander, U.S. Naval Activities, United Kingdom was an echelon three command subordinate to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe until 2007. As the regional area coordinator for the United Kingdom and Northern Europe, COMNAVACTUK also exercised authority over the following...
(COMNAVACT UK). Because of the increased sensitivity of the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
area, COMIDEASTFOR was assigned to the administrative command of COMUSNAVCENT (Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
United States Naval Forces Central Command is the United States Navy element of United States Central Command . Its area of responsibility includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea...
) on 1 October 1983.
CINCSOUTH and CINCUSNAVEUR once again shared an Admiral when Admiral William J. Crowe
William J. Crowe
Admiral William James Crowe, Jr. was a United States Navy Admiral who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, and as the ambassador to the United Kingdom under President Bill Clinton.-Biography:Crowe was born in La Grange, Kentucky...
, Jr., who was CINCSOUTH, also took the title of CINCUSNAVEUR on 1 January 1983. Admiral Crowe retained his NATO command and headquarters in Naples, Italy. Vice Admiral Ronald J. Hays
Ronald J. Hays
Ronald Jackson Hays is a retired United States Navy four star admiral who served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 1983 to 1985; and as Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command from 1985 to 1988....
, in London, became Deputy CINCUSNAVEUR and retained the title of USCOMEASTLANT. The CINCUSNAVEUR Headquarters remained in London with Admiral Crowe spending time at both locations. The responsibility of U.S. Commander Eastern Atlantic was added to that of the Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern Europe and Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe on 28 February 1989 during Admiral James Buchanan Busey, IV’s assignment as Commander in Chief.
Post Cold War
In September 1996 it was agreed that CINCUSNAVEUR could support CINCLANTFLT forces without the USCOMEASTLANT designation.In 2002, the command changed its name to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe (COMUSNAVEUR).
On 15 March 2004, NATO’s Joint Force Command (JFC) Naples
Joint Force Command Naples
Allied Joint Force Command Naples is a NATO military command. It was activated on 15 March 2004, after what was effectively a redesignation of its predecessor command, Allied Forces Southern Europe , originally formed in 1951...
was activated and its predecessor command, Allied Forces Southern Europe was deactivated.
COMUSNAVEUR continues to be dual-hatted as COMJFC Naples. In August 2005 COMUSNAVEUR headquarters completed its relocation to Naples, Italy from London in the United Kingdom. It is now co-located with his NATO headquarters. U.S. Naval Activities, United Kingdom
U.S. Naval Activities, United Kingdom
Commander, U.S. Naval Activities, United Kingdom was an echelon three command subordinate to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe until 2007. As the regional area coordinator for the United Kingdom and Northern Europe, COMNAVACTUK also exercised authority over the following...
was deactivated in September 2007.
USNAVEUR is now focusing more attention on Africa, specifically the Gulf of Guinea
Gulf of Guinea
The Gulf of Guinea is the northeasternmost part of the tropical Atlantic Ocean between Cape Lopez in Gabon, north and west to Cape Palmas in Liberia. The intersection of the Equator and Prime Meridian is in the gulf....
region, partially because of the increasing importance of the oil reserves
Oil reserves
The total estimated amount of oil in an oil reservoir, including both producible and non-producible oil, is called oil in place. However, because of reservoir characteristics and limitations in petroleum extraction technologies, only a fraction of this oil can be brought to the surface, and it is...
there. Ships are now often deploying to aid regional African navies, of which the most important in the region is the Nigerian Navy
Nigerian Navy
The Nigerian Navy is a branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The Nigerian Navy is among the largest Navies on the African continent, consisting of about 15,000 personnel, including those of the Coast Guard.-Brief History:...
. Connected with this effort, a new geographic combatant command, United States Africa Command
United States Africa Command
The United States Africa Command is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands of the United States Armed Forces, headquartered at Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany. It is responsible for U.S. military operations and military relations with 53 African nations – an area of responsibility covering all...
, is being stood up and is scheduled for completion in September 2008, which may mean a realignment of USN responsibilities for the West African area. As a result, NAVEUR is now sometimes referred to as US Naval Forces Europe-Africa and even NAVAF. There is currently however no approved plan to establish a separate Naval Forces Africa HQ. Two new task groups are active, Commander Task Group 60.4 which runs the Africa Partnership Station
Africa Partnership Station
Africa Partnership Station is an international initiative developed by United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa, which works cooperatively with U.S...
deployment series, and Commander Task Group 60.5, the Southeast Africa Task Group.
Commanders
| Commander | Dates |
|---|---|
| VADM Robert L. Ghormley Robert L. Ghormley Vice Admiral Robert Lee Ghormley was an admiral in the United States Navy, serving as Commander, South Pacific Area, during the Second World War.-Biography:... , Special Naval Observer |
August 1940 to March 1942 |
| VADM Robert L. Ghormley, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe (COMNAVEUR) | March 1942 to April 1942 |
| ADM Harold R. Stark, COMNAVEUR | April 1942 to August 1945 |
| ADM H. Kent Hewitt, COMNAVEUR | August 1945 to September 1946 |
| ADM Richard L. Conolly Richard L. Conolly Richard Lansing Conolly was a United States Navy Admiral, who served during World War I and World War II.-Biography:... , COMNAVEUR. Command changed to: Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (COMNELM) in November 1946 |
September 1946 to April 1947 |
| ADM Richard L. Conolly Richard L. Conolly Richard Lansing Conolly was a United States Navy Admiral, who served during World War I and World War II.-Biography:... , title changed to: Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (CINCNELM) |
April 1947 to December 1950 |
| ADM Robert B. Carney, CINCNELM | December 1950 to June 1952 |
| ADM Jerauld Wright Jerauld Wright Admiral Jerauld Wright, USN, served as the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Command and the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S... , CINCNELM Additional duty assigned in August 1953: Commander, Subordinate Command USLANTFLT |
June 1952 to March 1954 |
| ADM J.H. Cassady, CINCNELM & COMSCOMLANTFLT | March 1954 to May 1956 |
| ADM James L. Holloway, Jr. James L. Holloway, Jr. Admiral James Lemuel Holloway, Jr. was a four-star admiral in the United States Navy who served as superintendent of the United States Naval Academy from 1947–1950; as chief of naval personnel from 1953–1957; and as commander in chief of all United States naval forces in the eastern Atlantic and... , CINCNELM & COMSCOMLANTFLT. Command changed in September 1958 to: U.S. Commander Eastern Atlantic |
February 1958 to March 1959 |
| ADM Robert L. Dennison, CINCNELM & USCOMEASTLANT | March 1959 to February 1960 |
| ADM Harold P. Smith, CINCNELM, USCOMEASTLANT & CINCUSNAVEUR. Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe established | February 1960 to April 1963 |
| ADM David L. McDonald David L. McDonald David Lamar McDonald, USN, was an Admiral of the United States Navy, who served as the 17th Chief of Naval Operations , 1 August 1963 – 1 August 1967, during the Vietnam War era.-Military career:... , CINCUSNAVEUR, CINCNELM & USCOMEASTLANT |
April 1963 to June 1963 |
| ADM Charles D. Griffin Charles D. Griffin Admiral Charles Donald Griffin was a four-star admiral in the United States Navy who served as commander in chief of United States Naval Forces Europe from 1963 to 1965 and as commander in chief of Allied Forces Southern Europe from 1965 to 1968.-Early career:Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to... , CINCUSNAVEUR, CINCNELM & USCOMEASTLANT. 1 December 1963, CINCNELM was disestablished. |
June 1963 to March 1965 |
| ADM John S. Thach, CINCUSNAVEUR & USCOMEASTLANT | March 1965 to May 1967 |
| ADM John S. McCain, Jr. John S. McCain, Jr. John Sidney "Jack" McCain Jr. was a United States Navy admiral, who served in conflicts from the 1940s through the 1970s, including as the Commander, United States Pacific Command.... , CINCUSNAVEUR & USCOMEASTLANT |
May 1967 to July 1968 |
| ADM Waldemar F.A. Wendt Waldemar F.A. Wendt **... , CINCUSNAVEUR & USCOMEASTLANT |
July 1968 to June 1971 |
| ADM William F. Bringle William F. Bringle Admiral William Floyd Bringle, USN, was the first commanding officer of USS Kitty Hawk . During the Vietnam War, he was Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet in 1967-70 as a Vice Admiral, and later, as a four star admiral, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe in 1971-73.-Early life and career:Admiral... , CINCUSNAVEUR & USCOMEASTLANT |
June 1971 to August 1973 |
| ADM W.H. Bagley, CINCUSNAVEUR & USCOMEASTLANT | August 1973 to May 1974 |
| ADM Harold R. Shear, CINCUSNAVEUR & USCOMEASTLANT | May 1974 to May 1975 |
| ADM David H. Bagley, CINCUSNAVEUR & USCOMEASTLANT | May 1975 to August 1977 |
| VADM Joseph P. Moorer, CINCUSNAVEUR & USCOMEASTLANT | August 1977 to September 1980 |
| VADM Ronald J. Hays Ronald J. Hays Ronald Jackson Hays is a retired United States Navy four star admiral who served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 1983 to 1985; and as Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command from 1985 to 1988.... , CINCUSNAVEUR & USCOMEASTLANT; Deputy CINCUSNAVEUR from Jan-Mar 1983 |
Sep 1980 to Jan 1983 |
| ADM William J. Crowe, Jr., CINCSOUTH (NATO) and CINCUSNAVEUR | January 1983 to May 1983 |
| ADM William N. Small, CINCUSNAVEUR & CINCSOUTH | May 1983 to May 1985 |
| ADM Lee Baggett, Jr., CINCUSNAVEUR & CINCSOUTH | May 1985 to November 1985 |
| ADM Arthur S. Moreau, Jr., CINCUSNAVEUR & CINCSOUTH | November 1985 to December 1986 |
| ADM James B. Busey, CINCUSNAVEUR & CINCSOUTH. Became USCOMEASTLANT in February 1989 | March 1987 to May 1989 |
| ADM Jonathan T. Howe, CINCUSNAVEUR, CINCSOUTH & USCOMEASTLANT | May 1989 to December 1991 |
| ADM Jeremy M. Boorda, CINCUSNAVEUR, CINCSOUTH & USCOMEASTLANT | December 1991 to April 1994 |
| ADM Leighton W. Smith, Jr., CINCUSNAVEUR, CINCSOUTH & USCOMEASTLANT | April 1994 to July 1996 |
| ADM T. Joseph Lopez, CINCUSNAVEUR, CINCSOUTH & USCOMEASTLANT USCOMEASTLANT title eliminated 9 April 97 | July 1996 to October 1998 |
| ADM James O. Ellis James O. Ellis Admiral James O. Ellis, Jr. is a retired 4-star admiral and former Commander, United States Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He currently is President and Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and serves on the board of directors of Lockheed... , CINCUSNAVEUR & CINCSOUTH |
October 1998 to October 2001 |
| ADM Gregory G. Johnson Gregory G. Johnson Admiral Gregory G. Johnson is a retired United States Navy admiral, and former commander U.S. Naval Forces, Europe and Allied Forces, Southern Europe.-Military career:... , CINCUSNAVEUR & CINCSOUTH. Title changed to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (COMUSNAVEUR) in October 2002 and COMJFC Naples in March 2004 |
October 2001 to October 2004 |
| ADM Michael Mullen Michael Mullen Michael Glenn "Mike" Mullen is a retired United States Navy four-star admiral, who served as the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2011. Mullen previously served as the Navy's 28th Chief of Naval Operations from July 22, 2005 to September 29, 2007... , COMUSNAVEUR & COMJFC Naples |
October 2004 to May 2005 |
| ADM Harry Ulrich, COMUSNAVEUR & COMJFC Naples | May 2005 to November 2007 |
| ADM Mark P. Fitzgerald Mark P. Fitzgerald Mark P. Fitzgerald is a retired United States Navy admiral. He is the former Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe - Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples. He previously served as Director, Navy Staff from December 2006 to November 2007 and Commander,... , COMUSNAVEUR, COMUSNAVAF & COMJFC Naples |
November 2007 to October 2010 |
| ADM Samuel J. Locklear III Samuel J. Locklear Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, USN is current Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe which he concurrently serves as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and NATO's Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples. He previously served as Director, Navy Staff from July 2009 to October 2010... , COMUSNAVEUR, COMUSNAVAF & COMJFC Naples |
October 2010 to Present |