Task Force 11 | |
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TF 11's Saratoga (foreground) conducts aircraft operations with Task Force 16's Enterprise in the South Pacific in August 1942.
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Active | At least 1941–45, 2001–? |
Country | United States |
Allegiance | Allies of World War II |
Branch | United States Navy |
Engagements |
Action off Bougainville Battle of the Coral Sea Battle of the Eastern Solomons Marshall Islands Campaign |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders |
Aubrey Fitch Frank Jack Fletcher |
Task Force 11 (TF 11 or alternately Commander Task Force 11, CTF 11) is a designation that has been used by the United States armed forces for two separate units.
During World War II, Task Force 11 was a United States Navy aircraft carrier task force in the Pacific theater. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Destroyer Squadron 1 was attached to the Task Force under Vice Admiral Wilson Brown, made up of USS Lexington (CV-2) with cruisers USS Indianapolis (CA-35), USS Chicago (CA-29) and USS Portland (CA-33). On 14 December 1941, after delays due to bad weather, the task force cleared Pearl Harbor as a diversion for an expedition under Rear Admiral Frank J. Fletcher in Saratoga (CV 3) to relieve Wake Island.
TF 11 was originally formed around Lexington, then her sister ship Saratoga until she was disabled by a Japanese torpedo in January 1942, then Lexington again for the Battle of the Coral Sea, then Saratoga after her repairs were completed.
TF 11 – as part of Task Force 61 along with Task Force 16 – was involved in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons in late August 1942, but Saratoga was again crippled by a submarine, and the task force shrank to just the carrier and some destroyers.