NAVAF works with European, African, and South American governments, including in the disruption of militant networks, deterrence of illicit trafficking, and against piracy and maritime crime.

In 1917, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters developed as a command under the leadership Admiral William S. Sims to oversee the European aspects of United States Navy operations during World War I.

[2] His principal subordinates were Rear Admirals Henry B. Wilson in France and Albert P. Niblack at Gibraltar.

[6] In September 1920, the flagship Pittsburg ran aground in the Baltic sea off Libau and returned to the United States for repairs.

Naval Forces European Waters, Admiral Philip Andrews in 1924–1925 and Vice-Admiral Roger Welles in 1925–1926.

When Admiral Harold R. Stark became COMNAVEUR in April 1942, he was given the additional duties as Commander, United States Twelfth Fleet.

The fleet, which operated in European waters, consisted of one battleship, two cruisers, an aircraft carrier and six destroyers.

By autumn of 1945, the chief function of the U.S. Navy in the occupied countries was completed; enemy naval forces had been disarmed, war material had been located and accounted for, and harbors had been reopened and were in operation.

Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean) and six months later, in April 1947, the title was changed, this time to Commander in Chief, U.S.

In June 1951, he assumed additional duty as Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe (CINCSOUTH), and the CINCNELM Headquarters was moved from London to Naples.

[8] CINCELM was organized into the following subordinate commands:[9][10] Wright's operational control over the Sixth Fleet proved to be a source of friction with Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, RN, NATO's Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces Mediterranean (CINCAFMED).

He made a 14-day goodwill trip to the Middle East that culminated with a courtesy call with the newly crowned King Saud bin Abdul Aziz in Jidda, Saudi Arabia.

[13] In June 1953, Wright served as the senior U.S. Navy representative at the coronation pageant of Queen Elizabeth II, including flying his flag from the heavy cruiser USS Baltimore during the Coronation Naval Review of Spithead on 15 June.

[16] Admiral McCormick noted in his final fitness report dated March 1954: General Thomas T. Handy, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, U.S. European Command, also noted: Jeruald Wright was promoted to the rank of admiral effective 1 April 1954.

Vice Admiral Ronald J. Hays, in London, became Deputy CINCUSNAVEUR and retained the title of USCOMEASTLANT.

Naval Forces, Europe on 28 February 1989 during Admiral James Buchanan Busey IV's assignment as Commander in Chief.

The change gave EUCOM, and NAVEUR, the responsibility for maritime planning in the same general area of operations.

In August 2005 COMUSNAVEUR headquarters completed its relocation to Naples, Italy from London in the United Kingdom.

USNAVEUR is now focusing more attention on Africa, specifically the Gulf of Guinea region, partially because of the increasing importance of the oil reserves there.

Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) area of responsibility (AOR) covers approximately half of the Atlantic Ocean, from the North Pole to Antarctica; as well as the Adriatic, Baltic, Barents, Black, Caspian, Mediterranean and North Seas.

It encompasses 105 countries with a combined population of more than one billion people and includes a landmass extending more than 14 million square miles.