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===U.S. Navy=== {{main|United States Navy}} [[File:The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), left, and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) conduct dual aircraft carrier strike group operations (27142323334).jpg|thumb|{{USS|John C. Stennis|CVN-74}} and {{USS|Ronald Reagan|CVN-76}} conducting dual carrier strike group operations as part of the [[United States Seventh Fleet]]]] The United States Navy (USN) is the United States Armed Forces' maritime force. Originally established in 1775 as the [[Continental Navy]], the U.S. Navy consists of the Regular Navy and the [[United States Navy Reserve|Navy Reserve]]. The Navy is the United States' principal maritime service, responsible for [[naval warfare|maritime warfare]] operations.<ref name="auto6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.navy.mil/About/|title=About|website=www.navy.mil}}</ref> The U.S. Navy is organized under the [[United States Department of the Navy|Department of the Navy]], which is a military department under the leadership of the [[United States Secretary of the Navy|secretary of the Navy]] and the [[United States Under Secretary of the Navy|under secretary of the Navy]]. The U.S. Navy itself is led by the [[chief of naval operations]] and the [[vice chief of naval operations]], both [[admiral (United States)|admirals]] who are advised by the [[master chief petty officer of the Navy]].<ref name="auto6"/> The five enduring functions of the Navy are:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cimsec.org/naval-warfare-2010-2020-a-comparative-analysis/45129|title = Naval Warfare 2010β2020: A Comparative Analysis|date = 6 August 2020}}</ref> *[[Sea control]] *[[Power projection]] *[[Deterrence theory|Deterrence]] *[[Maritime security]] *[[Sealift]] [[File:US Navy 031200-N-0000X-001 The guided missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69), and the guided missile destroyers USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), USS Carney (DDG 64) and USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) launch a coordinated volley of missiles d.jpg|thumb|The {{USS|Vicksburg|CG-69}}, {{USS|Roosevelt|DDG-80}}, {{USS|Carney|DDG-64}}, and {{USS|The Sullivans|DDG-68}} launching a coordinated missile volley]] The nine specified tasks of the Navy are: #Conduct offensive and defensive operations associated with the maritime domain including achieving and maintaining [[sea control]], to include [[Underwater warfare|subsurface]], [[surface warfare|surface]], [[land warfare|land]], [[aerial warfare|air]], [[space warfare|space]], and [[cyberwarfare|cyberspace]].<ref name="DoDI 5100.01" /> #Provide [[power projection]] through sea-based global strike, to include [[nuclear warfare|nuclear]] and [[conventional warfare|conventional]] capabilities; [[interdiction]] and interception capabilities; maritime and littoral fires, to include [[Naval gunfire support|naval surface fires]]; and [[close air support]] for ground forces.<ref name="DoDI 5100.01" /> #Conduct [[missile defense|ballistic missile defense]]. This is executed through the Navy's [[Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System]].<ref name="DoDI 5100.01" /> #Conduct ocean, hydro, and river survey and reconstruction.<ref name="DoDI 5100.01" /> #Conduct [[riverine warfare|riverine operations]]. This is conducted by the [[Maritime Expeditionary Security Force]] and [[Naval Special Warfare Command]].<ref name="DoDI 5100.01" /> #Establish, maintain, and defend sea bases in support of naval, amphibious, land, air, or other joint operations as directed.<ref name="DoDI 5100.01" /> #Provide [[military logistics|naval expeditionary logistics]] to enhance the deployment, sustainment, and redeployment of naval forces and other forces operating within the maritime domain, to include joint sea bases, and provide [[maritime transport|sea transport]] for the Armed Forces other than which is organic to the individual military services, [[United States Special Operations Command]], and [[United States Cyber Command]]. This is conducted by the [[Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (United States)|Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group]] and [[Military Sealift Command]].<ref name="DoDI 5100.01" /> #Provide support for joint [[space warfare|space operations]] to enhance naval operations, in coordination with the other military services (primarily the [[United States Space Force]]), combatant commands (primarily [[United States Space Command]]), and other U.S. government departments and agencies. U.S. Navy space operations are conducted by [[Navy Space Command]].<ref name="DoDI 5100.01" /> #Conduct [[nuclear warfare|nuclear operations]] in support of strategic deterrence, to include providing and maintaining nuclear surety and capabilities.<ref name="DoDI 5100.01" /> ====Naval Surface Forces==== {{main|Naval Surface Forces}} [[File:USS Zumwalt is on the final leg of its three-month journey to its new homeport in San Diego. (31620613005).jpg|thumb|The stealth destroyer {{USS|Zumwalt|DDG-1000}} alongside the {{USS|Independence|LCS-2}}]] The Naval Surface Forces (NAVSURFOR) is the backbone of the U.S. Navy's combat power, conducting [[surface warfare]] operations and operating its fleet of combat surface ships.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usna.edu/SurfaceWarfare/index.php|title=Surface Warfare|website=www.usna.edu}}</ref> The Naval Surface Forces operates eleven nuclear-powered [[aircraft carriers]] (CVN), split between the [[Nimitz-class aircraft carrier|''Nimitz''-class]] and the newer [[Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier|''Gerald R. Ford''-class]]. Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of the U.S. Navy's combat power, forming the nucleus of its eleven [[carrier strike group]]s (CSG). Each aircraft carrier has an embarked [[carrier air wing]] from the Naval Air Forces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/article/2169795/aircraft-carriers-cvn/https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2169795/aircraft-carriers-cvn/|title=Aircraft Carriers β CVN|website=www.navy.mil}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The Naval Surface Forces also operate 116 [[surface combatant]]s. These include the [[Ticonderoga-class cruiser|''Ticonderoga''-class]] [[guided-missile cruiser]]s, [[Arleigh Burke-class destroyer|''Arleigh Burke-class'']] [[guided-missile destroyer]]s (DDG) and [[Zumwalt-class destroyer|''Zumwalt-class'']] [[stealth ship|stealth]] [[guided-missile destroyer]]s. Cruisers and destroyers often operate as part of larger formations, where they serve as escorts for [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] and [[Anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine]] operations. However, they also are able to conduct [[sea control]] and striker operations ashore with their [[Tomahawk (missile family)|tomahawk]] cruise missiles. The Navy also operates a complement of smaller [[Freedom-class littoral combat ship|''Freedom''-class]] and [[Independence-class littoral combat ship|''Independence''-class]] [[littoral combat ship]]s (LCS) that can be modularly reconfigured for specific mission sets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nvr.navy.mil/NVRSHIPS/SHIPBATTLEFORCE.HTML|title=Ship Battle Forces|website=nvr.navy.mil}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navy.com/life-in-the-navy/vessels|title=Submarines, Carriers, Cruisers & Other Vessels | Navy.com|website=www.navy.com}}</ref> Having lacked a [[frigate]] since the [[Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate|''Oliver Hazard Perry''-class]] was decommissioned, the Navy is in the process of acquiring the new [[Constellation-class frigate|''Constellation''-class]] [[guided-missile frigate]]s (FFG).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2022/12/27/report-to-congress-on-constellation-class-frigate-program-ffg-62-12|title=Report to Congress on Constellation-class Frigate Program (FFG-62)|date=27 December 2022}}</ref> Finally, the Naval Surface Forces operate 31 [[amphibious warfare ship]]s to support the [[Fleet Marine Force]] and its embarked [[Marine Air-Ground Task Force]]s as part of an [[amphibious ready group]] or [[expeditionary strike group]]. This includes the [[America-class amphibious assault ship|''America-class'']] [[landing helicopter assault]] (LHA) ships which can carry U.S. Marine Corps [[F-35B Lightning II]] fighters and helicopters; and [[Wasp-class amphibious assault ship|''Wasp-class'']] [[landing helicopter dock]] (LHD) ships, which can carry both F-35B fighters, helicopters, and landing craft. These are in addition to the [[San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock|San Antonio-class]] [[amphibious transport dock]]s (LPD), and the [[Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship|Whidbey Island-class]] and [[Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship|''Harpers Ferry''-class]] [[dock landing ship]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nvr.navy.mil/NVRSHIPS/FLEETSIZE.HTML|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161211091216/http://www.nvr.navy.mil/NVRSHIPS/FLEETSIZE.HTML|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 December 2016|title=Fleet Size|website=nvr.navy.mil}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/Military-Units/Navy/|title=Military Units: Navy|website=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref> ====Naval Submarine Forces==== {{main|Naval Submarine Forces}} [[File:A port bow view of the US Navy (USN) LOS ANGELES CLASS- Attack Submarine USS ALBUQUERQUE (SSN 706), underway in the Atlantic Ocean, while participating in Exercise MAJESTIC EAGLE 20 - DPLA - cd72cc6879754214027b11472a72fa7d.jpeg|thumb|The {{USS|Albuquerque|SSN-706}} attack submarine underway in the Atlantic Ocean]] The Naval Submarine Forces (NAVSUBFOR) is often referred to as the "silent service", consisting of 68 commissioned submarines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/intel/video-shows-us-navy-worlds-best-submarine-force/|title=This video shows the awesomeness of the US Navy's submarine force|date=31 March 2018}}</ref> [[Los Angeles-class submarine|''Los Angeles''-class]], [[Seawolf-class submarine|''Seawolf''-class]], and [[Virginia-class submarine|''Virginia''-class]] nuclear-powered [[attack submarine]]s are capable of performing [[sea control]] missions by destroying enemy submarines and surface ships, conducting surveillance and reconnaissance, performing irregular warfare, covert troop insertion, mine and anti-mine operations, and land attack missions with [[Tomahawk (missile family)|tomahawk]] cruise missiles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usna.edu/SubmarineForce/subs.php|title=Submarines|website=www.usna.edu}}</ref> [[Ohio-class submarine|''Ohio''-class]] nuclear-powered [[ballistic missile submarine]]s (SSBN) have the sole mission of being launch platforms for the nuclear [[submarine-launched ballistic missile]] (SLBM). Each carries 20 [[UGM-133 Trident II]] SLBMs. The Navy is currently in the process of procuring the [[Columbia-class submarine|''Columbia''-class]] SSBNs to replace the ''Ohio''-class.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csp.navy.mil/SUBPAC-Commands/Submarines/Ballistic-Missile-Submarines/|title=Ballistic Missile Submarines|website=www.csp.navy.mil}}</ref> Some ''Ohio''-class submarines have been converted to [[cruise-missile submarine]]s (SSGN), capable of carrying 154 [[Tomahawk (missile family)|tomahawk]] cruise missiles and deploying 66 special operations forces personnel, such as [[Navy SEALs]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csp.navy.mil/SUBPAC-Commands/Submarines/Guided-Missile-Submarines/|title=Guided Missile Submarines|website=www.csp.navy.mil}}</ref> ====Naval Air Forces==== {{main|Naval Air Forces}} [[File:F-A-18F Super Hornet flies over the USS Gerald R. Ford.jpg|thumb|An [[F/A-18F Super Hornet]] from [[VX-23]] flies over the {{USS|Gerald R. Ford|CVN-78}}, the world's largest aircraft carrier, and the largest warship ever constructed]] The Naval Air Forces (NAVAIRFOR) is the Navy's [[naval aviation]] arm, centered around the [[carrier air wing]]. The core of the carrier air wing are the Naval Air Forces strike fighter squadrons (VFA), which fly the [[F-35C Lightning II]] stealth fighter and the [[F/A-18E/F Super Hornet]]. A variant of the F/A-18, the [[EA-18G Growler]] is an [[electronic-warfare aircraft]] flown by electronic attack squadrons (VAQ) off of carriers or land bases. The [[E-2 Hawkeye]] provides carriers with airborne early warning and command-and-control, while the [[C-2A Greyhound]] keeps carriers supplied. The [[CMV-22B Osprey]] is currently in the process of replacing the C-2 Greyhound for carrier resupply.<ref name="auto8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usna.edu/NavalAviation/index.php|title=Aviation Warfare|website=www.usna.edu}}</ref> The Naval Air Forces also operate the [[MH-60 Seahawk]] for [[anti-submarine warfare]], [[anti-ship warfare]], and search and rescue operations. The [[MH-53E]] is primarily used for anti-mine warfare but can also be used for assault support.<ref name="auto8"/> Although primarily centered on carriers, the Naval Air Forces do operate a small number of land-based aircraft. These include the [[P-3C Orion]] and [[P-8A Poseidon]], which conduct [[anti-submarine warfare]] operations and serve as maritime patrol aircraft, alongside the unmanned [[MQ-4C Triton]]. The [[E-6 Mercury]] is also flown by the Navy to communicate instructions to U.S. strategic forces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Strategic-Communications-Wing-1/|title=Strategic Communications Wing 1|website=www.airpac.navy.mil}}</ref><ref name="auto8"/> ====Navy commands==== The U.S. Navy is organized into eight navy component commands, which command operational forces and serve as joint force maritime component commands; fifteen shore commands, which support the fleets' operating forces; five systems commands, which oversee the technical requirements of the Navy; and nine type commands, which administratively manage units of a certain type. {|class="wikitable" |- !colspan=2|Name !Mission !Headquarters |- |[[File:Seal of the Chief of Naval Operations.svg|75px]] |[[Office of the Chief of Naval Operations]] (OPNAV) | Navy service headquarters led by the [[chief of naval operations]]. |[[The Pentagon]], Virginia |- !colspan=5| Navy operating forces |- |[[File:Seal of the Commander of the United States Fleet Forces Command.svg|75px]] |[[United States Fleet Forces Command|U.S. Fleet Forces Command]] (USFF) / U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command (NAVFORNORTH) |Trains, certifies, and provides Navy forces for naval, joint, and combined operations. Navy service component and joint force maritime component command to [[United States Northern Command]] and [[United States Strategic Command]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usff.navy.mil/About-Us/Mission/|title=Mission|website=www.usff.navy.mil|access-date=26 February 2023|archive-date=26 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226000259/https://www.usff.navy.mil/About-Us/Mission/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |[[Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads]], Virginia |- |[[File:Seal of the Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet.svg|75px]] |[[United States Pacific Fleet|U.S. Pacific Fleet]] (PACFLT) |Navy service component and joint force maritime component command to [[United States Indo-Pacific Command]]. |[[Naval Station Pearl Harbor]], Hawaii |- |[[File:United States Naval Forces Central Command patch 2014.png|75px]] |[[United States Naval Forces Central Command|U.S. Naval Forces Central Command]] (NAVCENT) |Navy service component and joint force maritime component command to [[United States Central Command]]. |[[Naval Support Activity Bahrain]] |- |[[File:Seal of the United States Fleet Cyber Command.png|75px]] [[File:Emblem of the U.S. Navy Space Command.png|75px]] |[[U.S. Fleet Cyber Command]] (FCC) / [[Navy Space Command|U.S. Navy Space Command]] (NAVSPACE) |Navy service component to [[United States Cyber Command]] and [[United States Space Command]] |[[Fort Meade]], Maryland |- |[[File:US Naval Forces Europe-Africa.png|75px]] |[[United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa|U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa]] (NAVEUR-NAVAF) |Navy service component and joint force maritime component command to [[United States European Command]] and [[United States Africa Command]]. |[[Naval Support Activity Naples]], Italy |- |[[File:Navso crest2 Ver 2.gif|75px]] |[[United States Naval Forces Southern Command|U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command]] (NAVSO) |Navy service component and joint force maritime component command to [[United States Southern Command]]. |[[Naval Station Mayport]], Florida |- |[[File:US NSWC insignia.jpg|75px]] |[[United States Naval Special Warfare Command|U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command]] (USNSWC) |Navy service component to [[United States Special Operations Command]]. |[[Naval Amphibious Base Coronado]], California |- |[[File:MSC Seal.png|75px]] |[[Military Sealift Command]] (MSC) |Navy service component and joint force maritime component command to [[United States Transportation Command]]. |[[Naval Station Norfolk]], Virginia |- |[[File:Seal of the United States Navy Reserve.svg|75px]] |[[United States Navy Reserve|U.S. Navy Reserve]] (USNR) |Oversees and maintains Navy reserve forces |[[Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads]], Virginia |}
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