S.D. admirals to play role in Navy's move to meld fleets

By James W. Crawley
STAFF WRITER

September 4, 2001

Since World War II, the Navy has trained and operated more like two separate navies -- one based in the Atlantic, the other in the Pacific.

The Atlantic and Pacific fleets may have used the same types of warships and their men and women may have worn the same cut of uniform. But in many regards the two fleets were separate and, some contended, unequal.

Each fleet set different training and personnel policies. Budgeting used different accounting systems. And, for many years, ships from the different fleets were unable to communicate by radio because frequencies and codes differed.

Starting next month, that naval dichotomy may end.

Under a realignment plan ordered by the chief of naval operations, two San Diego-based admirals will be given more power to set training, personnel and maintenance policies for the Navy's aviation squadrons and surface ships.

However, they will answer in part to the four-star admiral in charge of the Atlantic Fleet, headquartered in Norfolk, Va.

The idea is to streamline the Navy bureaucracy, build common Navywide policies and, ultimately, save money, Navy officials said.

"The purpose is to make sure the Atlantic and Pacific fleets operate with a consistent set of policies," said Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Tom Fargo.

Under the new realignment, which officially begins Oct. 1, Fargo will report to his Atlantic Fleet counterpart, Adm. Robert Natter, on policy issues but still have operational control of the San Diego-based Third Fleet and Pacific-based ships and aircraft.

In addition to his old title of Atlantic Fleet commander, Natter's new job will be commander of the Fleet Forces Command.

However, the biggest effect will be for local Vice Adms. John Nathman and Timothy LaFleur.

Nathman, who has been in charge of Pacific Fleet carriers and aviation units, will also become commander of naval air forces.

Commander of surface forces will be LaFleur, who currently oversees surface units of the Pacific Fleet.

As such, each admiral will be responsible for making requests for money, weapons, maintenance and people for the Navy's aviation and surface-ship units. They also will be responsible for setting policies for training and have a voice in Pentagon budget and weapons debates, LaFleur said.

"We, the fleet, have a voice that we never had before," he added.

Previously, each fleet had admirals who oversaw aviation, surface ships and submarines.

Under the new scheme, LaFleur's and Nathman's counterparts in Norfolk will report to them on nonoperational issues. In the future policies, regulations and directives will cover both fleets.

The new policy should improve Navy maintenance and readiness -- two areas that have been problems in recent years, Nathman said.

Naval analyst Norman Friedman described the realignment as "back to the past," referring to the Navy's single fleet, primarily based in San Diego, before World War II.

Because the naval war was fought in two oceans, the Navy was split between two fleets. It has remained split since then.

But, Friedman said, "the Navy is too small today for two separate fleets."

Giving the important aviation and surface commands to San Diego-based admirals also is significant, he said.

"The Pacific is now becoming the primary focus of the Navy," he said.

For the average sailor, the realignment should have no significant effect, but it could make life a little simpler, said one admiral.

"We hope that when a sailor transfers from Norfolk to San Diego, the policies will be the same," LaFleur said.