SEVENTH FLEET

• The Seventh Fleet is a numbered fleet of the United States Navy that is responsible for operations in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is headquartered in Yokosuka, Japan. • During World War II, the Seventh Fleet played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater, participating in numerous battles and campaigns, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Battle of Okinawa. • The Seventh Fleet was involved in the Korean War, providing air and naval support to U.N. forces and conducting naval blockades off the coast of North Korea. • In the 1970s and 1980s, the Seventh Fleet conducted numerous operations in the South China Sea, asserting freedom of navigation and challenging maritime claims by various countries in the region. • In 1989, the Seventh Fleet participated in Operation Classic Resolve, escorting and protecting Kuwaiti oil tankers in the Persian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq War. • The Seventh Fleet also played a key role in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, providing naval power projection and support for coalition forces during the liberation of Kuwait. • In the 21st century, the Seventh Fleet has been involved in various humanitarian missions, disaster relief operations, and security cooperation activities in the Asia-Pacific region. • In recent years, the Seventh Fleet has faced scrutiny and criticism due to several high-profile incidents, including collisions involving U.S. Navy ships and allegations of misconduct and lack of readiness among some of its units. • Despite these challenges, the Seventh Fleet remains a critical component of U.S. national security strategy, providing a visible and powerful presence in a region of growing strategic importance. • The Seventh Fleet continues to adapt and evolve to meet the changing security environment in the Asia-Pacific region, maintaining a forward-deployed posture to ensure peace and stability in the region.