WATERS SOUTH OF JAPAN: The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in formation with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships for a photo exercise during Annual Exercise 16. The Ronald Reagan CSG is participating in Annual Exercise 16 to increase interoperability between Japanese and American forces through training in air and sea operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Burke/Released)

SEVENTH Fleet’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) encompasses more than 48 million square miles (more than 124 million square kilometers) from the Kuril Islands in the north to the Antarctic in the south, and from the International Date Line to the 68th meridian east, which runs down from the India-Pakistan border. SEVENTH Fleet’s AOR includes 36 maritime countries and the world’s 5 largest foreign armed forces - People’s Republic of China, Russia, India, North Korea and Republic of Korea. Five of the seven U.S. Mutual Defense Treaties are with countries in the area - Republic of the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, and Thailand.

U.S. presence in the region is more important than ever. U.S. naval forces help encourage dialogue, promote growth, and ensure the free flow of trade, of which the oceans have significant importance. Ninety percent of the world’s commerce travels by sea and the vast majority of the world’s population lives within a few hundred miles of the oceans, which cover nearly three quarters of the planet. Half of the world’s population lives within the SEVENTH Fleet Area of Responsibility.

Or Click on any one of the following links below:

• SEVENTH Fleet Overview video
• Message from Commander SEVENTH Fleet VADM Thomas