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News
NEWS | Aug. 29, 2018

New Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, Visits Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet

By U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, visited Vice Adm. Lisa Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, at the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet headquarters at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, Aug. 30, 2018.

Lewis was confirmed by the Senate June 28 to serve as the first commander of the newly established U.S. 2nd Fleet, which will be headquartered in Norfolk.

"It is my pleasure to welcome the newly established U.S. 2nd Fleet commander, Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis to Naples as we discuss the ways our fleets will work together in this era of great power competition," said Franchetti. "Let there be no mistake, our fleets are operating in a dynamic security environment, and the establishment of U.S. 2nd Fleet signals our Navy's resolve to meet those challenges head on.”

U.S. 2nd Fleet will exercise operational and administrative authorities over assigned ships, aircraft and landing forces on the East Coast and the North Atlantic. Additionally, it will plan and conduct maritime, joint and combined operations and will train and recommend certification of combat ready naval forces for maritime employment and operations around the globe.

“This is a dynamic response to the dynamic security environment,” said Adm. John Richardson, chief of naval operations. “So as we’ve seen this great-power competition emerge, the Atlantic Ocean is as dynamic a theater as any and particular the North Atlantic, so as we consider high-end naval warfare, fighting in the Atlantic, that will be the 2nd Fleet’s responsibility.”

The security environment continues to grow more challenging and complex – particularly in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Standing up 2nd Fleet demonstrates our Navy’s refocused dedication to security and stability in the region.

“I am confident that this meeting will be the beginning of an important, synergistic partnership that will advance the security of America and our allies,” said Franchetti.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.