U.S. Navy ReESTABLISHES the Fourth Fleet to operate in the Caribbean, central and south america

      Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead, announced the reestablishment of the U.S. Fourth Fleet and assigned Admiral Joseph D. Kernan. The Fourth Fleet will be responsible for U.S. Navy ships, aircraft and submarines operating in the Caribbean (CUBA), and Central and South America (VENEZUELA). The U.S. Fourth Fleet has been re-established to address the increased role of maritime forces in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of operations, and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to regional partners.

     "Re-establishing the Fourth Fleet recognizes the immense importance of maritime security in the southern part of the Western Hemisphere, and signals our support and interest in the civil and military maritime services in Central and South America," said Roughead. "Our maritime strategy raises the importance of working with international partners as the basis for global maritime security. This change increases our emphasis in the region on employing naval forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests. "