requirements for a Naval Component Commander were forwarded to COMUSMACV. At this time, the Commanding General III Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF), with headquarters in Da Nang, was performing the task of Naval Component Commander for MACV; and Commander U.S. Naval Forces Philippines was the navy area coordination authority. Commanding General III MAF's many functions encompassed the direction of the bulk of the war effort in the I Corps Tactical Zone in addition to discharging the Naval Component Commander functions in South Vietnam (with the exception) of those functions performed by Chief, Naval Advisory Group (CHNAVADVGRP). His many duties in the I CTZ resulted in the NCC being unable to adequately supervise many NCC functions in the II, III and IV Corps Tactical Zones. In addition, the presence of the Commanding General, III MAF was almost continually required in the I CTZ, a separation from COMUSMACV Headquarters in Saigon. This prohibited frequent personal contact between COMUSMACV and his Naval Component Commander. With the increase in U.S. naval forces, there also existed the need for a more responsive organization to provide for the supervision of uni-service Navy matters. Again, geography prevented effective supervision by Commanding General, III MAF, and to an even greater extent prevented effective participation by Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Philippines. Chief, Naval Advisory Group was unavoidably involved in naval matters not necessarily related to NAVADVGRP functions. As CHNAVADVGRP, he was a member of COMUSMACV staff, as such not in command of a naval organization, but tasked to advise COMUSMACV on naval matters. In addition, he was CTF 115 and CTF 116. Yet, involved as he was, he had not fully appropriate channels to the Naval Component Commander, the Fleet Commander nor the Pacific Fleet type commanders. With the continuing growth of the Navy establishment in Vietnam and the problems of a Naval Component Commander remote from the center of naval operations, the need existed for a change in the Naval Component Commander structure to provide an organization more responsive to the needs of COMUSMACV and the Navy. It was proposed that a major Navy command with a flag officer be established in Saigon under the command of the United States Pacific Fleet and under the operational control of COMUSMACV. This command would exercise operational control under COMUSMACV of the Coastal Surveillance Force, the River Patrol Force and other Navy units as specifically assigned. In addition, the command would