Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis has been nominated as the commander of the newly reestablished U.S. 2nd Fleet, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.
Lewis currently serves as deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans, and strategy (N3/N5) and began the position in August 2017. This new position includes the reappointment as a three-star admiral. Lewis previously served as director of fleet training (N7) at Fleet Forces Command, commander of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), and commander of Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG 12).
Lewis is being succeeded by Rear Adm. James Malloy, who is moving up from a two star to a vice admiral. Malloy currently serves a vice director for operations, J3 in the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.
The 2nd Fleet was only reestablished early last month by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson following a recommendation from the Secretary of the Navy’s Strategic Readiness Review (SRR) (Defense Daily, May 7).
Its new purpose is to exercise operational and administrative authorities over ships, aircraft, and landing forces in the U.S. East Coast and Northern Atlantic Ocean regions. It will also plan and conduct maritime, joint, and combined operations plus train, certify, and provide maritime forces to respond to contingencies.
2nd Fleet was previously disestablished in 2011, with many of its assets and responsibilities merged into U.S. Fleet Forces. Richardson said the new commander of 2nd Fleet will report to the head of U.S. Fleet Forces, Adm. Chris Grady.
The SRR recommended reestablishing 2nd Fleet on the model of the 3rd Fleet as an operational and training division within Fleet Forces.
Separately, the Pentagon announced Rear Adm. Michal Dumont has been nominated to get his third star and assigned as deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command.