"Finally, the appearance we've been waiting for."

Upon receiving the report that the Japanese Combined Fleet had set sail from the friendly submarine patrolling near the waters of Japan, Admiral Spruance, the commander of the Fifth Fleet, was convinced that the long-awaited opportunity for revenge had arrived for the United States Navy.

Since the beginning of the war, the US Navy had consistently tasted bitter defeat against the Combined Fleet. In many cases of the naval battles between the US and Japan, it was the Combined Fleet that had the advantage in choosing the time and location of the battles. Additionally, the US forces were always at a numerical disadvantage in terms of naval aviation capabilities. The most significant gap in power occurred in the decisive Second Battle of the Coral Sea last spring, where the US Navy suffered a major defeat, losing five carriers at once. The pre-war regular carriers, meticulously maintained, were all sunk in that battle, resulting in the loss of numerous skilled crew members. The damage to surface strike vessels was also substantial, with over a hundred battleships, cruisers, and destroyers sunk since the start of the war.

'However, the time for patience has come to an end.'

The aircraft carriers deployed in the Fifth Fleet numbered fifteen, and it might not seem like a significant advantage against the estimated twelve to thirteen carriers of the Combined Fleet. However, the quality and quantity of the essential carrier-based aircraft were clearly superior on the American side.

The repair of the heavily damaged Indiana from the Second Battle of the Coral Sea had concluded, and two fast battleships, the Iowa and New Jersey, boasting a speed of 33 knots, had joined the fleet. Cruisers and destroyers were also reinforced with new ships, equipped with the latest fire control systems, numerous machine guns, and cannons. Furthermore, new tactics such as coordinated firing and new technologies like VT fuzes were introduced, elevating the fleet's anti-air capabilities to a completely different level compared to the start of the war.

The air group of the Fifth Fleet's carriers suffered considerable losses in battles against the Japanese air forces in Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. While the number of planes shot down was not exceptionally high, there were unexpectedly many planes damaged by enemy fire. Nevertheless, with replenishments from the escort carrier task force in the rear, all carriers had now reached their full complement. However, due to the significant reduction in the number of carrier-based aircraft in the escort carrier task force, they had no choice but to stay in the rear.

'Commanders of renowned carrier task forces like Fletcher and Halsey were consistently defeated simply because they had fewer forces. But this time is different. The overwhelming Fifth Fleet, with its immense strength, will crush the Combined Fleet head-on!'

Spruance envisioned the strength of the Fifth Fleet and dreamed of the battle against the Combined Fleet. He was a cautious man in all matters, but what made him bold was the overwhelming strength of the Fifth Fleet, which included fifteen aircraft carriers and six battleships as its core—a fleet considered the strongest in the world. To confront the approaching Combined Fleet, they turned their bow to the northwest.

Fifth Fleet

- Task Group 1

   - Intrepid (48 × F6Fs, 36 × SB2Cs, 15 × TBFs, 4 × F6F night fighters)

   - Yorktown (48 × F6Fs, 36 × SB2Cs, 15 × TBFs, 4 × F6F night fighters)

   - Cowpens (24 × F6Fs, 9 × TBFs)

   - Monterey (24 × F6Fs, 9 × TBFs)

   - 1 heavy cruiser, 2 light cruisers, 15 destroyers

- Task Group 2

   - Bunker Hill (48 × F6Fs, 36 × SB2Cs, 15 × TBFs, 4 × F6F night fighters)

   - Lexington (48 × F6Fs, 36 × SB2Cs, 15 × TBFs, 4 × F6F night fighters)

   - Langley (24 × F6Fs, 9 × TBFs)

   - Cabot (24 × F6Fs, 9 × TBFs)

   - 1 heavy cruiser, 2 light cruisers, 15 destroyers

- Task Group 3

   - Franklin (48 × F6Fs, 36 × SB2Cs, 15 × TBFs, 4 × F6F night fighters)

   - Wasp (48 × F6Fs, 36 × SB2Cs, 15 × TBFs, 4 × F6F night fighters)

   - Bataan (24 × F6Fs, 9 × TBFs)

   - San Jacinto (24 × F6Fs, 9 × TBFs)

   - 1 heavy cruiser, 2 light cruisers, 15 destroyers

- Task Group 4

   - Hornet (48 × F6Fs, 36 × SB2Cs, 15 × TBFs, 4 × F6F night fighters)

   - Princeton (24 × F6Fs, 9 × TBFs)

   - Belleau Wood (24 × F6Fs, 9 × TBFs)

   - 1 heavy cruiser, 2 light cruisers, 15 destroyers

- Task Group 7

   - Battleships New Jersey, Iowa, South Dakota, Indiana, Massachusetts, Washington

   - 4 heavy cruisers, 16 destroyers