Commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific is a United States Navy vice admiral, who leads the Naval Surface Force, United States Pacific Fleet. The Commander is also designated as Commander, Naval Surface Force, a “dual hat”, who serves as the Navy's Lead for the Surface Warfare Enterprise. From 1978 to 1987, and probably later, the headquarters has been located at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Coronado, California. The command was commissioned in March 1975. The first Commander was Vice AdmiralRobert Samuel Salzer. Under his command the consolidation of all Cruisers, Destroyers, Frigates, Amphibious, Mine Force, Pacific Fleet, Service Force Ships, Tenders and Repair Ships, Naval Special Warfare Forces, and Amphibious warfare schools of the Pacific Fleet, was commenced. On 7 June 1975 Vice Admiral Emmett H. Tidd assumed Command of the Naval Surface Force, US Pacific Fleet. During this period, the final consolidation took place. When the task of consolidating the Naval Surface Forces, Pacific Fleet was completed, Admiral Tidd requested retirement. After over 33 years of service, he was retired from the Navy on 31 July 1976 with the permanent rank of Vice Admiral. On behalf of the President of the United States, he was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of the Third Award of the Distinguished Service Medal, "For exceptionally meritorious service...." At that time, the Naval Surface Force of the Pacific Fleet consisted of 183 ships and over 55,000 personnel. In 1978, according to Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, Eleventh Edition, the command comprised Cruiser-Destroyer Group 1, Cruiser-Destroyer Group 3, Cruiser-Destroyer Group 5, Surface Group Western Pacific at Naval Base Subic Bay, with Destroyer Squadron 15 subordinate but based at Yokosuka, Japan, Surface Group Middle Pacific in HAwaii with Destroyer Squadrons 25, 33, 35, and Service Squadron 5, Amphibious Group 1/Task Force 76 in Okinawa, Amphibious Group Eastern Pacific, with its headquarters and Amphibious Squadrons 1, 3, 5, and 7 all in San Diego, Naval Special Warfare Group 1, Mine Squadron 5 with Mine Divisions 51, 52, 53, and 54, and Service Group 1 at Oakland, CA., with Service Squadrons 1 and 3 at San Diego and Vallejo, respectively. By 1984, SurfPac had four destroyer tenders, one repair ship, and one battleship reporting directly to it, and Surface Squadron 1 had been established at Long Beach, CA. Surface Squadron 1 was a mix: it comprised one salvage ship, 3 ATF, 1 AVM, two frigates, 1 LKA, and 1 LST. Cruiser-Destroyer Groups 1, 3, 5 still directed multiple squadrons, though Service Group 1 had only a single subordinate squadron, Service Squadron 3 headquartered at Vallejo, comprising seven ammunition ships.
Composition March 2012
The ships and subordinate squadrons of the command were:
The Amphibious Force was formerly known as Commander, Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet. On 7 December 1941 the post was filled by Marine Major General William P. Upshur. Amphibious Forces, PacFlt comprised the Army's 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, under Army operational control, the 2nd Marine Division, the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the 2nd Defense Battalion, and a depot. One of PhibPac's subordinate commands during World War II was Transports, Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet, or TransPhibPac. The commander of TransPhibPac was known as ComTransPhibPac. Vice Admiral Wilson Brown was appointed commander of the amphibious forces in the Pacific on 10 April 1942. On March 8, 1944, Vice Admiral Richmond K. Turner reported to the Commander-in-Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet, as Commander Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Vice Admiral Turner's orders as Commander FIFTH Amphibious Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet remained in force on his assumption of the higher command. On June 1, 1944 the Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet were reconstituted by the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet and Vice Admiral Turner assigned additional duty as TYPE COMMANDER for all Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. The AMPHIBIOUS Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet consisted of Transports-Assault, Cargo Vessels-Assault, Transports, Cargo Vessels, Civilian Manned Transports, and Cargo Vessels, Landing Ship Vehicles, Landing Ship Docks, Landing Ship Tanks, Patrol and Special Craft, Landing Craft, LCI, LCT, LCT, Landing Boats, Training Commands, and Amphibious Operating, Repair and Training bases. These Forces were designated TASK Force Thirteen. Subordinate Commanders of the Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet are as follows:
Commander Amphibious Group ONE, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet
Commander Amphibious Group TWO, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet
The Commander Support Aircraft is placed by the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, under the control of Commander Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, for administration and training. When needed for operations and upon request by Commander Amphibious Forces, Commander Support Aircraft reports to Commander THIRD or FIFTH Amphibious Force for Operation Control. Office space is provided at Amphibious Force Headquarters. This post was disestablished in 1975 and its functions were passed on to Naval Surface Force, US Pacific Fleet.
