Active July 1, 1957 – present Nickname(s) CNFK | Branch United States Navy | |
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Country United States of America Type Region Command / Shore staff Part of U.S. Pacific Fleet
United Nations Command
Navy Installations Command | ||
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea is a major shore command of the United States Navy that serves as the shore support agency for all U.S. Naval activity in South Korea. Known by the initials "CNFK", Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea is headquartered at Busan Naval Base, Busan.
CNFK is jointly under the command of the operational command of United States Pacific Fleet, responsible for the support of all U.S. Naval Forces on the Korean peninsula. CNFK is also CNIC's assigned Region Commander with administrative control over what is currently the only Naval installation in South Korea, which is Fleet Activity Chinhae. CNFK is commanded by a Rear Admiral (lower half) who serves as the Navy Liaison to the Commander of the U.S. Eighth Army. In times of war, CNFK becomes a ground based task force of the Pacific Fleet.
Rear Admiral Charles B. Cooper II assumed command after the 35th CNFK change of command ceremony held on Sept. 8, 2016. Cooper's recent tours include commanding officer on USS Russell (DDG 59) and USS Gettysburg (CG 64).
History
Commander, Naval Forces, Korea, was established on July 1, 1957, with headquarters in Seoul. The command was created by the reorganization of the Naval Forces, Far East Command into the separate commands of Naval Forces, Japan and Naval Forces Korea. Commander, Naval Forces Korea, assumed the following additional duties:
The principal mission of CNFK was support of the United Nations Command. In this regard, the commander exercised command of U.S. Naval Forces assigned or attached, and operational control over the Republic of Korea Navy.