Fast Carrier Task Force

Fast Carrier Task Force
Fast Carrier Task Force
	Task Force 38 at Ulithi in December 1944
Active	1944–45
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Fleet
Size	17 carriers, 6 battleships, 13 cruisers, 58 destroyers, 1,100 aircraft (December 1944); increased for Battle of Iwo Jima, 1945
Part of	United States Pacific Fleet
Garrison/HQ	Pearl Harbor
Nickname(s)	Task Force 38, Task Force 58
Engagements	Pacific War
Commanders
Notable; commanders	Admiral Marc Mitscher; Admiral John S. McCain, Sr.; Admiral John H. Towers

The Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 38 when assigned to Third Fleet, TF 58 when assigned to Fifth Fleet) was the main striking force of the United States Navy in the Pacific War from January 1944 through the end of the war in September 1945. The task force was made up of several separate task groups, each typically built around three to four aircraft carriers and their supporting vessels. The support vessels were screening destroyers, cruisers, and the newly built fast battleships.^[2]

^ Chant, Christopher (2013). The Encyclopedia of Codenames of World War II. Routledge. p. 103. ISBN 978-1134647873.
^ Taylor p. 170

[1] Chant, Christopher (2013). The Encyclopedia of Codenames of World War II. Routledge. p. 103. ISBN 978-1134647873.

[2] Taylor p. 170

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