More than 300 Sailors assigned to Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet gathered at 3rd Fleet headquarters to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Sept. 2.

Japanese representatives signed the official Instrument of Surrender on Sept. 2, 1945 on the deck of U.S. 3rd Fleet's flagship USS Missouri (BB 63) with the 3rd Fleet commander, Adm. William "Bull" Halsey, standing as witness to the event.

U.S. 3rd Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Nora Tyson said 3rd Fleet's extensive operations against Japanese forces in the Central Pacific helped bring World War II to an end and ushered in the era of peace and stability in the Pacific that we still enjoy seven decades later.

"We here at 3rd Fleet have big shoes to fill," said Tyson. "We need to think about the legacy of those who went before us, and more importantly we need to think about what we do today and the legacy we leave behind for those that are following in our footsteps 70 years from now."

As the ceremony concluded, Tyson stressed the importance of the mutual understanding, respect and cooperation between the United States and Japan following the end of World War II. She said the U.S. and Japan strategic alliance is indispensable to both the security of Japan and the U.S., and to the peace, stability and economic prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region in the 21st century.

"Seventy years ago our ships were there to wage war. Now, the United States is welcomed back to preserve peace as part of our alliance," said Tyson. "After 70 years, our relationship with Japan is strong and still getting stronger. We work side-by-side as well as any two nations in the world."

U.S 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific and 3rd Fleet's joint interagency and international relationships strengthen its ability to respond to crises and protect the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the eastern Pacific.

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