5-20
Figure 5-7.—DoN organization—operating forces.
called task fleets. A task force (TF) is composed of
several types of ships according to operational necessity.
Thus a TF may include battleships, aircraft carriers,
cruisers, amphibious craft, and auxiliary vessels, such as
tenders or supply ships. The division of a TF creates
task groups. Task groups have numbers corresponding
to the particular TF of which they are a part. For
instance, if TF 77 has a task group assigned to
reconnaissance, its set number will be TG 77.3. Task
groups may be subdivided even further into task units
and task elements. For example, TU 77.3.1 is Task Unit
1 of Task Group 3 of Task Force 7 of the Seventh Fleet.
The operating forces carry out naval operations
needed to support the DoN’s role in upholding and
advancing the national policies and interests of the
United States. The major operating forces are shown in
figure 5-7. Each has an area of responsibility and
mission, some unique, some are shared as explained
below.
Naval
Reserve
Force.—Commander,
Naval
Reserve Force (NAVRESFOR) provides mission-
capable units and individuals to the Navy, Marine Corps
team throughout the full range of operations from peace
to war. The Naval Reserve Force, numbering over
728,000 men and women, consists of the Ready Reserve,
the Standby Reserve, and the Retired Reserve. The
“Ready Reserve” is made up of “Selected Reserve”
personnel and “Individual Ready Reserve” (IRR)
personnel. The Selected Reserve (SELRES) is the
Navy's primary source of immediate mobilization
manpower. SELRES represents those reservists who are
paid either as weekend drillers or who serve in full-time
support on active-duty status as Temporary Active
Reserves (TAR) in the training and administration of the
Naval Reserve Force program.
Operation Test and Evaluation
Force.—
Commander, Navy Operational Test and Evaluation
Force (COMOPTEVFOR) provides an independent and
objective evaluation of the operational effectiveness and
suitability of aviation, surface, subsurface, cryptologic,
and space systems.
Naval Special Warfare Command.—Commander,
Naval
Special
Warfare
Command
(COMNAVSPECWARCOM) prepares forces to carry
out maritime special operations missions. The command
