There are two ways in which a U.S. or U.S.-allied task force may be assigned a number.[2] The first is the originally naval scheme promulgated and governed by the Military Command, Control, Communications, and Computers Executive Board (MC4EB), chaired by the Joint Staff J6. Task force numbers allocated under this scheme form the majority of the listings below.
The second is a by-product of the U.S. Army's procedure for forming task-organised forces for combat, differing from strictly doctrinally assigned table of organization and equipment organizations. A battalion, company or brigade commander has very wide latitude in selecting a task force name,[3] though often the name of the commander is used (e.g. Task Force Faith; Task Force Smith was named for the commander of the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment). This has often resulted in derivations from the originator unit's numerical designation being used. For example, when a special operations aviation unit was being formed in the late 1970s, the original unit drew heavily on personnel from the 158th Aviation. The designation chosen was Task Force 158, which later grew to become the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Another example comes from 2004 in Afghanistan. On 15 April 2004 the headquarters of the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division arrived in Afghanistan and took command of CJTF-180 from the 10th Mountain Division. Lieutenant General David Barno, commanding then decided to rename CJTF 180 because the “180” designation had traditionally been given to Joint task forces led by the Army's XVIII Airborne Corps. Barno chose Combined Joint Task Force 76 as the new name to evoke America's history and the democratic spirit of 1776.[4] The CFC-A commander intended this new designation to highlight the change in command at the operational level at a time when Afghanistan appeared to be moving closer to democracy.
No coordination appears to occur between U.S. Army task forces designated in this way, and the USMCEB scheme. This has resulted in simultaneous designations being used at the same time. For example, Combined Joint Task Force 76, was in use in Afghanistan in 2004, but doubling up on the Task Force 76 designation used for decades by Amphibious Force, United States Seventh Fleet, in north Asia.
Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX)[5] is designed to test a strike group's ability to operate in hostile and complex environments with other U.S. and coalition forces. The integrated exercise combines specific warfare areas with the purpose of making preparations for the strike group's upcoming deployment. An example of such an exercise includes The John F. Kennedy (CV-67) Carrier Battle Group which participated in Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 02–1,[6] in the waters off the East Coast as well as on training ranges in North Carolina and Florida during Operation Enduring Freedom January 19, 2002
Numbered USMCEB joint task forces
Allied Communications Publication 113: Call Signs Book for Ships in its Annex B lists allocations of task force numbers from 1 to approximately 1000, allocated by the United States Military Communications-Electronic Board in blocks for use by the United States Department of Defense and allies.
Norman Polmar noted in Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, 2005, that the task forces under the commanders of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleet are mainly for contingency purposes.[7] They are employed for specific operations and exercises.
Combined Task Force (CTF) 13 conducted a simulated long range raid on Camp Hanson, Okinawa Japan, March 21, 2016. CTF-13 conducted the raid, which commenced in South Korea, to demonstrate air assault, multi-continent long-range raid capabilities and the ability to deliver security and stability. CTF 13 included 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines.
In September 1964, Major General George Brown was selected to organize and command JTF-2, a Joint Chiefs of Staff organization formed at Sandia Base, New Mexico, to test the services' weapon systems. It was staffed by personnel of all three services.[8] Low Altitude Program nuclear test organisation, 1965–70.[9] In 1990s seemingly transferred to Canada, possibly completely out of USMCEB formal system for use by Canadian special forces. The Canadian SOF unit that took this designation was formed on 1 April 1993.
Drug interdiction task force at El Paso, Texas, from December 1989. Became Joint Task Force North in 2004. Now seemingly Task Force 6, the naval component commander, U.S. Africa Command, an additional duty post for Commander, Sixth Fleet.[13]
Joint Task Force 7
JTF-7
US
Operation Sandstone, a series of nuclear weapon tests in 1948; Operation Chromite, Inchon amphibious landing under Vice Admiral Arthur Struble. As Commander, Joint Task Force Seven, and Commander, Seventh Fleet, Struble was in command of the amphibious phase of the operation.[14] Used for Operation Castle atomic tests in the 1940s-1950s.
Celebrated carrier task force c. 1941–42; Service Force, Pacific Fleet, by 1943;[19] Maritime Defense Zone, U.S. Pacific Fleet, commanded by a Coast Guard officer (2005).[7]
On 23 September 1942, USS San Francisco (CA-38), Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Chester, Boise, and Helena, and Destroyer Squadron 12 (DesRon 12) became TF 64, a surface screening and attack force under the command of Rear Admiral Norman Scott in San Francisco. The next day, the force headed to the New Hebrides. Now United States Sixth Fleet.
Amphibious Force, United States Seventh Fleet. CJTF 76 was a designation given to a division-sized U.S. Army task force in Afghanistan, seemingly outside the formal USMCEB system.
Carrier Striking Force, U.S. Seventh Fleet. As of 2016[update] built around Carrier Strike Group Five. Also used by a USSOCOM task force, the former Task Force 145, seemingly not within the USMCEB numbering scheme.
Allocated to North Pacific Force, 1945 (as was Task Force 92 as well).[21] In 1944, Rear Admiral Ralph Wood was appointed as Commandant, Seventeenth Naval District, which comprised all of Alaska, together with additional duties (ADDU) as Commander Task Force 91; Fleet Air Wing Four; Deputy Commander, Alaskan Sea Frontier; and Deputy Commander of the North Pacific Force and Area.[24]
United States Navy, World War II. Established around Okinawa in July 1945 and conducted three operations into the East China Sea before the end of the war in mid-August that year. This iteration of the Task Force was active as late as November 1945. The designation was reactivated for use during the Korean War, when it was used for the United Nations Command Blockading and Escort Force, often helmed by the British Flag Officer Second in Command Far East Fleet. Vice Admiral William Andrewes served as Commander, Task Force 95 (CTF 95), for a period.[27]
Task Force 97
TF-97
US
Hawaiian Sea Frontier - Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley, December 1, 1943.[19]
Task Force 98
TF
US
Maj. Gen Richardson, USA, Hawaiian Sector Defence, Hawaiian Department, U.S. Army, local naval defence forces.[19]
Involved in USS Liberty incident, 1967. CINCUSNAVEUR established TF 100 under the command of Rear Admiral Renken, Commander, Service Forces, Atlantic, at 0000Z, 12 June 1967. With forces from Sixth Fleet, Commander Fleet Air Mediterranean, Service Forces, Sixth Fleet, Naval Securities Group Europe, plus the Liberty herself, TF 100 was to '..supervise the drydocking of USS Liberty at Malta on or about 13 June 1967 in order to prevent disclosure of classified information and equipment to unauthorised personnel.'[29] TF 100's functions were expected to be completed in about two days. Previously at times held by Deputy Commander-in-Chief United States Naval Forces Europe (DCINCUSNAVEUR). The task force (or Task Group 100.1) was also involved in a mid-May 1975 visit to Leningrad.[30]Leahy and Tattnall, part of Cruiser-Destroyer Group 12, were commanded by Rear Admiral Justin D. Langille III. On 1 April 2010, it was announced that Rear Adm. (lower half) Charles K. Carodine was to be assigned new duties. Carodine was at the time serving as chief of staff, JTF-100 Maritime Operations Center, United States Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Va.[31] Also by 2010 TF 100 had become the Service Cryptographic Component Operations task force of United States Tenth Fleet.[32]
Seemingly Admiral Bruce Fraser, Commander-in-Chief, British Pacific Fleet, aboard HMS Duke of York, soon after the end of World War II. A 2019 report by military journalist Wesley Morgan also identified the "CT [counter-terrorism] unit that works for AFRICOM [United States Africa Command] [as] Task Force 111, a JSOC [Joint Special Operations Command] task force that is led by SEAL Team 6."[35] JSOC's Task Force 111 was formerly Task Force 48–4.[36]
Task Forces 111-119
TF 112
UK/US
Allocated to miscellaneous activities on Dec 1, 1943, inc Western, NW Sea Frontier[19] and by September 1945 to British Pacific Fleet.[37]
In times of crisis and during certain exercises, Commander Second Fleet became Commander, JTF 120. This joint task force drew from the Atlantic Fleet, U.S. Army airborne and air assault units, U.S. Air Force aircraft and support personnel, U.S. Marine Corps amphibious forces, and at times, the United States Coast Guard. Ran Operation Urgent Fury, the United States invasion of Grenada in October 1983. Later ran Operation Uphold Democracy regarding Haiti in 1994–95.
Possibly part of United States Twelfth Fleet during World War II. Task Force of Army Rangers during Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada, 1982.[22] After 2001, one of the designations for the Joint Special Operations Command high value targets task force. This was made up of soldiers, naval personnel, air force personnel, and civilians from the U.S. Army's Delta Force, 75th Ranger Regiment, and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Naval Special Warfare Development Group, CIA Special Activities Division, USAF Combat Controllers, Pararescuemen, Tactical Air Control Party air force personnel, and Special Operations Weather Technicians, the Aviation Tactics Evaluation Group (AvTEG), and the Joint Communications Unit. Two troops from the U.S. Army 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment provided armor support for the Task Force. On occasions, Canadian, British, Australian and Polish special force personnel assisted and augmented the task force. It served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
United States Twelfth Fleet, World War II. Commanded by Rear Admiral Alan G. Kirk, who commanded D-Day's Western Naval Task Force (Utah and Omaha Beaches). When the Dominican Civil War of 1965 began, USS Newport News (CA-148) sortied from Norfolk on 29 April for Santo Domingo, where she was flagship for Commander Joint Task Force 122. Newport News remained on station off Santo Domingo until 7 May 1965 when JTF 122 was dissolved, and command was shifted to the Army ashore in the Dominican Republic.
Commander, Task Force 134, COMSUBPAC, is an operational commander responsible to USSTRATCOM for strategic deterrent submarine operations.[44]
Task Force 136
TF 136
US
Under the commander of Commander, Second Fleet, was quarantine force during Cuban Missile Crisis.[45] Led for a time by Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla 2 aboard USS Canberra.
Task Force 140
TF 140
US
Project Mercury Recovery Force (early 1960s), later Manned Spacecraft Recovery Force, Atlantic (for Apollo 9). In the 1980s, as JTF 140, designation for Second Fleet for Caribbean contingency operations. Ocean Venture '90 was a JCS directed field exercise sponsored by the U.S. Atlantic Command and executed by JTF 140, a standing JTF assigned to LANTCOM which had existed since 1979.[46] Utilised for Haiti operations during 1994.[12]
Task Force 144
TF 144
US
CTF 144, Commander Submarine Forces/COMSUBLANT. Operational commander for Atlantic ballistic missile submarines, responsible to Commander, U.S. Strategic Command
Appears to be the permanently assigned designator for HQ XVIII Airborne Corps when operating as a combined joint task force or joint task force, for example in Afghanistan after 2002.
Task Force 214
TF 214
US
Twentieth Air Force, while acting as the ICBM task force for U.S. Strategic Command
Task Force 294
TF 294
US
U.S. Air Force air refueling forces while acting as a task force for U.S. Strategic Command
Commander, Task Force 311 (CTF-311), located in Northwood, Middlesex, is the Royal Navy's sole submarine operating authority (SUBOPAUTH). CTF-311 maintains operational control of all Britain's attack submarines, wherever they may be.[50][51]
Task Group 316.1
TF 316
UK
Used for Endeavour 90 deployment, under Capt Franklyn, HMS Bristol (DTS)[52]
In November 1967, TF 318, under Flag Officer Second in Command Far East Fleet, Rear Admiral Edward Ashmore, managed the British withdrawal from Aden after 128 years of colonial rule.[53] Reestablished with effect from 1 November 1971 to cover withdrawal of British forces from Persian Gulf (Roberts, 95)
Seemingly Royal Navy in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Used Cyprus 1974[54] during Falklands War when RNZN frigates deployed, and after Iraqi invasion of Kuwait (deployed force TG 321.1 in both later cases).[55] In 1990 CINCFLEET acted as CTF 321.
Task Group 323.2
TF 323
UK
RN Mediterranean group during Operation Desert Storm
Task Force 324
TF 324
UK
Royal Navy Red Sea force during Suez Crisis of 1956. Consisted of HMS Newfoundland[56] and others. Newfoundland and HMS Diana (D126) sank the Egyptian frigate 'Domiat' (ex-HMS Nith (K215)) on the first night of the war.[57]
Task Force 326
TF 326
UK
Roberts, 294, says Liverpool and RFA Wave Knight were assigned as Atlantic Patrol Task (North) from February 2005, as TG 326.01. Meanwhile, Gloucester was on Atlantic Patrol Task (South) and relieved by Portland in March 2005, as TG 326.02.
Involved in Operation Grapple nuclear tests at Christmas Island, August 1958.[59] TG 333.1 seemingly utilised by Captain 11th Frigate Squadron (Captain F11), Royal New Zealand Navy, in November 1972, during LONGEX 71 between Auckland and Wellington.[60] TGs of TF 333 later used in NATO area (Roberts)
UK Mediterranean naval task force during Suez Crisis of 1956.[56] Now is reported as '..CTF 345 is the organisation that provides command and control of the UK deterrent' at Northwood Headquarters. This is the force of Vanguard-class submarines. Rear Admiral Ian Corder commanded the task force as of September 2012.[61][51]
As of late 2013, Operation Ocean Shield Somali counter-piracy force. CTF 508 was Rear Admiral Eugenio Diaz del Rio on board flagship Alvaro de Bazan on 14 January 2014.[65]
SUBmarine Search And Rescue (SUBSAR)[67] May be designator for Commander Australian Fleet; CTF 627 was allocated to this officer under his previous title of Maritime Commander Australia in 1999–2000.
Joint Task Force 629
JTF 629
AUS
2004: Operation Sumatra Assist - ADF response to the earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia. 2005: Operation Sumatra Assist II - ADF response to further earthquakes in Sumatra.[68] 2009: Operation Padang Assist - the ADF response to earthquakes in Padang, Indonesia.[69] At the same time in 2009 as the Padang earthquake, an earthquake and tsunami hit Samoa and the JTF 629 designation extended to the operation in that region, Operation Samoa Assist.[68] 2017-19: Operation Augury-Philippines - the ADF training mission to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in support of their counter terror operations.[70]
Operation Pakistan Assist (2005-6) - the ADF response to earthquake disaster relief in Pakistan. The TF632 designation was later used for a Special Operations group in Iraq in 2018.[71]
Operation Anode, the ADF led support mission to RAMSI Between 2003 and 2017. CTF 635 incorporated elements of the NZDF and participating pacific nations as well as the ADF and AFP.[74]
Joint Task Force 636
JTF 636
AUS
2010: Operation Pakistan Assist II - ADF disaster relief operation in Pakistan following flooding and landslide events.[75] 2014-15: Operation Highroad - ADF operations in Afghanistan[76] until June 6, 2015, when it transitioned to the downsized Task Group Afghanistan.[77]
During Operation Gold, the ADF support to the 2000 Summer Olympics, the JTF 643 designation was assigned to at least part the counter terror force, consisting of elements of SASR, 5th Aviation Regiment and 4 RAR (Commando). The designation may have continued to be used by one of the Australian ready CT Tactical Assault Groups beyond the scope of the 2000 Olympics.
Joint Task Force 644
JTF 644
AUS
During Operation Gold, the ADF support to the 2000 Summer Olympics, the JTF 644 designation was assigned to at least part the counter terror force, consisting of elements of SASR, 5th Aviation Regiment and 4 RAR (Commando). The designation has continued to be used by unconfirmed elements of SOCOMD with the Officer Commanding JTF 644 in 2014, identified only as "Major P" receiving the Conspicuous Service Medal in the 2016 Australia Day Honours.
RAAF Air Command[84] Aerospace Operational Support Group TG 646.7. In 2019 the JTF 646 designation was used for the ADF response to the bushfires in the Australian state of Victoria, which included elements from the PNG Defence Force and the Fijian military.[85]
Joint Task Force 658
JTF 658
AUS
2014; designation given to the ADF led task force involved for the search for missing airliner MH370.[86] 2019; used for the task force assigned to Operation North Queensland Flood Assist[87]
Joint Task Force 659
JTF 659
AUS
ADF support during 2018 in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Marcus in the Northern Territory.[88]
Joint Task Force 661
JTF 661
AUS
ADF support during 2017 for Operation Queensland Assist in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Debbie.[89] In 2019 the designation was assigned to Operation Indo-Pacific Endeavour, a military outreach mission with regional neighbours.[90]
The JTF commander also commanded 9th Aerospace Expeditionary Task Force-Southwest Asia, U.S. Central Command, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It carried out Operation Southern Watch to enforce the Iraqi no-fly zones. The 9AETF-SWA was the forward-deployed arm of the Ninth Air Force. Established on August 26, 1992; active until 2003.[97]
On 11 May 2010, Malian and Senegalese soldiers worked on small unit tactics, movements, and convoy vehicle recover drills with special operations forces personnel from Special Operations Task Force 103 in Bamako, Mali. The classes were part of Exercise Flintlock 10, an exercise focused on military interoperability and capacity-building, which was part of an AFRICOM-sponsored annual exercise program with partner nations in northern and western Africa. Flintlock 10, which includes participation of key European U.S. allies, was conducted by SOCAFRICA and was designed to build relationships and develop capacity among security forces throughout the Trans-Saharan region of Africa.
Task Force 118
TF-118
US
a regular army aviation unit flying AH-58D Warrior helicopters whose mast-mounted IR sights helped spot small boats during Operation Prime Chance
After World War II, the War Department decided that U.S. Army personnel must be able to live and operate in any degree of cold.[100] A group of task forces was therefore organized to test U.S. Army equipment in the cold. Task Force Frigid and Task Force Williwaw were dispatched to what is now Fort Greely, Alaska during the winters of 1946 and 1947.
Located at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Marine Air-Ground Task Force currently operating in Helmand Province. 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade during 2009–10 for Operation Enduring Freedom. Also used by the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions during their deployments to Afghanistan
Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – North (CJSOTF–N), also known as Task Force Viking, was the U.S. joint task force responsible for the northern front during the initial period of the 2003 invasion of Iraq
^Independent, Obituary: Admiral Sir Richard Fitch, 22 February 1994. Note that the Independent incorrectly lists Ashmore's appointment at the time.
^Henn, Francis. A Business of Some Heat: The United Nations Force in Cyprus Before and During the 1974 Turkish Invasion. Casemate Publishers, 2004, 295
Norman Polmar, Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet,Naval Institute Press, see 11th Edition, 1978, pp. 6–9; 13th Edition, 1984, pp. 14–17; 14th Edition, 1987, pp. 15–19; 2005 edition.
Puryear, Edgar F. (1983). George S. Brown, General, U.S. Air Force: Destined for Stars. Novato, California: Presidio. ISBN0-89141-169-0. OCLC9198011.
Timothy M. Bonds, Myron Hura, Thomas-Durrell Young, 'Enhancing Army Joint Force Headquarters Capabilities,' Santa Monica, CA; RAND Corporation, 2010 – includes list of joint task forces
Geoffrey Carter, Crises Do Happen – The Royal Navy and Operation Musketeer, Suez 1956, Liskeard, Maritime Books, 2006.
*The Silent Deep: The Royal Navy Submarine Service Since 1945 (2015) with James Jinks ISBN9780241959480 Penguin - authoritative origin description on CTF 311 pp. 345–6; CTF 345 pp. 254–7, 259.
Roberts, John (2009). Safeguarding the Nation: The Story of the Modern Royal Navy. Seaforth Publishing. Includes mention of a number of RN task groups.