Commander , Naval Surface Forces Pacific Commander , Naval Surface Forces Pacific ( COMNAVSURFPAC ) is a United States Navy admiral , who leads the Naval Surface Force , United States Pacific Fleet . The Commander is also designated as Commander , Naval Surface Force ( COMNAVSURFOR ) , a “ dual hat ” , who serves as the Navy ’ s Lead for the Surface Warfare Enterprise . From 1978 to 1987 , and probably later , the headquarters has been located at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado , Coronado , California . The command was commissioned in March 1975 . The first Commander was Vice Admiral Robert Samuel Salzer . Under his command the consolidation of all Cruisers , Destroyers , Frigates ( in Cruiser - Destroyer Force , Pacific ) , Amphibious ( ComPhibPac ) , Mine Force ( previously including Mine Squadron 7 , disestablished in 1968 ) , Pacific Fleet , Service Force Ships , Tenders and Repair Ships ( in Service Force , Pacific Fleet ( ComServPac ) ) , Naval Special Warfare Forces ( SEALS ) , and Amphibious warfare schools of the Pacific Fleet , was commenced . On 7 June 1975 Vice Admiral Emmett H . Tidd assumed Command of the Naval Surface Force , US Pacific Fleet . During this period , the final consolidation took place . When the task of consolidating the Naval Surface Forces , Pacific Fleet was completed , Admiral Tidd requested retirement . After over 33 years of service , he was retired from the Navy on 31 July 1976 with the permanent rank of Vice Admiral . On behalf of the President of the United States , he was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of the Third Award of the Distinguished Service Medal , " For exceptionally meritorious service . . . . " At that time , the Naval Surface Force of the Pacific Fleet consisted of 183 ships and over 55 , 000 personnel . In 1978 , according to " Ships and Aircraft of the U . S . Fleet " , Eleventh Edition , the command comprised Cruiser - Destroyer Group 1 ( with Destroyer Squadrons 5 , 13 , and 23 ) , Cruiser - Destroyer Group 3 ( Destroyer Squadron 7 , Destroyer Squadrons 17 and 27 ) , Cruiser - Destroyer Group 5 ( Destroyer Squadrons 9 , 21 , 31 , and 37 ( NRF ) ) , Surface Group Western Pacific at Naval Base Subic Bay , with Destroyer Squadron 15 subordinate but based at Yokosuka , Japan , Surface Group Middle Pacific in HAwaii with Destroyer Squadrons 25 , 33 , 35 , and Service Squadron 5 , Amphibious Group 1 / Task Force 76 in Okinawa , Amphibious Group Eastern Pacific , with its headquarters and Amphibious Squadrons 1 , 3 , 5 , and 7 all in San Diego , Naval Special Warfare Group 1 , Mine Squadron 5 ( NRF ) with Mine Divisions 51 , 52 , 53 , and 54 ( all NRF ) , and Service Group 1 at Oakland , CA . , with Service Squadrons 1 and 3 at San Diego and Vallejo , respectively . By 1984 , SurfPac had four destroyer tenders ( ADs ) , one repair ship ( AR ) , and one battleship ( seemingly ) reporting directly to it , and Surface Squadron 1 had been established at Long Beach , CA . Surface Squadron 1 was a mix : it comprised one salvage ship ( ARS ) , 3 ATF , 1 AVM , two frigates , 1 LKA , and 1 LST . Cruiser - Destroyer Groups 1 , 3 , 5 still directed multiple squadrons , though Service Group 1 had only a single subordinate squadron , Service Squadron 3 headquartered at Vallejo , comprising seven ammunition ships . Composition March 2012 . The ships and subordinate squadrons of the command are : Previous commanders , Amphibious Force , Pacific Fleet . The Amphibious Force was formally known as Commander , Amphibious Forces , Pacific Fleet ( ComPhibPac ) . On 7 December 1941 the post was filled by Marine Major General William P . Upshur . Amphibious Forces , PacFlt comprised the Army ' s 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis , under Army operational control , the 2nd Marine Division , the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing , the 2nd Defense Battalion ( see Marine defense battalions ) , and a depot . One of PhibPac ' s subordinate commands during World War II was Transports , Amphibious Force , Pacific Fleet , or TransPhibPac . The commander of TransPhibPac was known as ComTransPhibPac . Vice Admiral Wilson Brown was appointed commander of the amphibious forces in the Pacific ( ComPhibPac ) on 10 April 1942 . On March 8 , 1944 , Vice Admiral Richmond K . Turner reported to the Commander - in - Chief U . S . Pacific Fleet , as Commander Amphibious Forces , U . S . Pacific Fleet . Vice Admiral Turner ' s orders as Commander FIFTH Amphibious Force , U . S . Pacific Fleet remained in force on his assumption of the higher command . On June 1 , 1944 the Amphibious Forces , U . S . Pacific Fleet were reconstituted by the Commander - in - Chief , U . S . Fleet and Vice Admiral Turner assigned additional duty as TYPE COMMANDER for all Amphibious Forces , U . S . Pacific Fleet . The AMPHIBIOUS Forces , U . S . Pacific Fleet consist [ ed ] of Transports - Assault ( APA ) , Cargo Vessels - Assault ( AKA ) , Transports ( AP ) , Cargo Vessels ( AK ) , Civilian Manned Transports ( XAP ) , and Cargo Vessels ( XAK ) , Landing Ship Vehicles ( LSV ) , Landing Ship Docks ( LSD ) , Landing Ship Tanks ( LST ) , Patrol and Special Craft ( PCS , SC , LCC ) , Landing Craft ( LSM , LCI ( L ) , LCI ( G ) , LCT ( 6 ) , LCT ( 5 ) , APc ) , Landing Boats , Training Commands , and Amphibious Operating , Repair and Training bases . These Forces were designated TASK Force Thirteen . Subordinate Commanders of the Amphibious Forces , U . S . Pacific Fleet are as follows : The Commander Support Aircraft is placed by the Commander - in - Chief , U . S . Pacific Fleet , under the control of Commander Air Force , U . S . Pacific Fleet , for administration and training . When needed for operations and upon request by Commander Amphibious Forces , Commander Support Aircraft reports to Commander THIRD or FIFTH Amphibious Force for Operation Control . Office space is provided at Amphibious Force Headquarters . This post was disestablished in 1975 and its functions were passed on to Naval Surface Force , US Pacific Fleet .