As the Navy component in Europe, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) plans, conducts and supports naval operations in the European theater during peacetime and as tasked by the EUCOM commander. With its headquarters at Naval Support Activity in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR directs all its naval operations through the U.S. Sixth Fleet (COMSIXTHFLT) commander based in Gaeta, Italy, and support activities ashore through the Navy Region Europe (CNRE) commander, headquartered in Naples. A Sept. 20, 2005 directive merged Naval Forces Europe and Sixth Fleet.

Though not a NATO command, NAVEUR ensures ready and logistics support of U.S. Navy ships and aircraft regardless if they were nationally or NATO assigned. NAVEUR also works with NATO commands and member governments in planning, operating and funding NATO facilities the U.S. Navy uses.

Naval Forces Europe’s area of responsibility encompasses 89 countries with a combined population of more than 1 billion people. Its landmass spreads across nearly 14 million square miles and touches three continents, while its maritime areas cover the Mediterranean and Black and Baltic seas. On Oct. 1, 2000, the maritime area expanded to include several million square miles in the Atlantic Ocean also. For planning purposes, NAVEUR divided the area of responsibility into six maritime regions according to the countries’ maritime characteristics and their surrounding waters: Black Sea; Levant / East Med; Maghreb and North Africa; northern Europe and Baltic; northern Mediterranean; and sub-saharan Africa.

For more information, visit NAVEUR’s Web site: www.c6f.navy.mil