Free Republic

Washington (AFP) - A top US navy admiral announces the re-establishment of the US 2nd Fleet -- a Cold War command disbanded in 2011 -- to patrol the North Atlantic and face a resurgent threat from Russia. The chief of US Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson, made the announcement during a change of command ceremony Friday in the Atlantic naval port of Norfolk, Virginia. "Our National Defense Strategy makes clear that we're back in an era of great power competition as the security environment continues to grow more challenging and complex," said Richardson, according to a navy statement. "That's...

NORFOLK, Va., May 26, 2005 — The USS Saipan and two other Norfolk Naval Station-based ships deployed May 25, under the Fleet Response Plan (FRP), in support of the global war on terrorism. "Make no mistake, we are at war. FRP is all about getting ready sooner, and remaining ready longer, and the sailors on these ships are responding tremendously," U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Mark Fitzgerald Saipan is one of five East Coast ships carrying more than 2,800 sailors rapidly deploying or “surging” for an approximately three-month deployment to the European and Central Command maritime areas of responsibility. Other ships...

By JACK DORSEY, The Virginian-Pilot © May 25, 2005 NORFOLK — The Navy has ordered five ships and 2,800 sailors to deploy on unexpected missions to support anti-terrorism efforts in the Balkans and Middle East. Four of the ships will leave today. The deployments are in response to requests from the European Command and the Central Command and are not exercises, Vice Adm. Mark Fitzgerald, commander of the 2nd Fleet, said Tuesday. While most ships know several months in advance – sometimes a year or more – when they will deploy, these ships were given between six and eight weeks’...

Story Number: NNS050506-03 Release Date: 5/6/2005 1:55:00 PM USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (NNS) -- A ceremony held aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) (TR) May 4 recognized the ongoing friendship between Spain and the United States with the joining of a Spanish ship to the TR Carrier Strike Group. Alvaro de Bazan (F 101), a medium-size Spanish frigate, is now officially a part of Carrier Strike Group 2. “We are pleased and honored to welcome Alvaro de Bazan to Norfolk, Va., and into the TR strike group,” said Commander, Carrier Strike Group 2 Rear Adm. James A. Winnefeld. “This project was...