The US Navy has seven combat fleets, but interestingly without the 1st Fleet
it was disbanded in 1973 and its duties assumed by the United States Third Fleet
However, given China's growing power, the US Navy is planning to revive this fleet
The commander of the US Pacific Fleet, is studying the pros and cons of bringing back the US Navy's 1st Fleet
Admiral Philip S. Davidson, head of the Indo-Pacific Command, said that reviving the fleet is a necessary action in the current situation
Expected location of the 1st Fleet's base in the future, will be between the Indo-Pacific and the Pacific
The addition of this force is necessary in the event of war, and also shares the duties of the 7th Fleet
The 7th Fleet, based in Japan, is the fleet with the widest range of operations, and the only fleet in the Asia-Pacific region
It covers a large area, stretching from India down to Antarctica and through Japan to the Kuril Islands
The Seventh Fleet has between 50 and 70 surface warships and submarines
but the demand for naval forces in the Asia-Pacific region is increasing, as China strengthens its power in the region
The 1st Fleet was established in 1946, under the payroll of the Pacific Fleet and performed mainly in the Western Pacific region
The 1st Fleet was disbanded in 1973 and after nearly 50 years
due to new developments in the Indo-Pacific, the US decided to re-establish this Fleet
If the 1st Fleet returns, experts say Singapore or Australia could be a good choice as a base
However, the 1st Fleet will not necessarily be stationed in a fixed location in the Indo-Pacific region
it can function as a sea command, agile and maneuverable
A naval fleet in the Indian and South Asian regions will reassure allies, while ensuring potential adversaries such as the PLAN will be wary
And that is also the US answer to its commitment to global presence to ensure freedom at sea
This is not the only organizational change of the US Navy, as it faces new threats at sea
The US plan also renamed the 2nd Fleet Command to the Atlantic Fleet, in response to Russian threats
Currently, the US Navy has 7 naval fleets
including the 2nd Fleet, with headquarters located in Norfolk (Virginia, USA) responsible for the Atlantic Ocean
The 3rd Fleet is based in Pearl Harbor (Hawaii, USA) responsible for the East and Central Pacific
The 4th Fleet has headquarters in Mayport (Florida, USA) responsible for the Caribbean, Central and South America
The 5th Fleet is based in Manama (Bahrain), responsible for the Middle East (including the Red Sea, Arab Sea, and Persic Bay)
The 6th Fleet is based in Naples (Italy), Mediterranean
The 7th Fleet is based in Yokosuka (Japan), responsible for the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans
The 10th Fleet is based in Fort Meade (Maryland, USA), responsible for cyber combat
The plan to create a new fleet is a strong signal to China that the United States will not leave, but also come closer to the region
If the US Navy goes ahead with the creation of the First Fleet in the Indian Ocean
it will reaffirm that Washington continues to pay special attention to the region, not just the Western Pacific