Final answer:
The Eighth Fleet has never operated in the area covered by the U.S. Navy's Second Fleet because it is a historical fleet that is no longer active and its operations during World War II were under different designations and geography.
Step-by-step explanation:
The U.S. Navy's Second Fleet primarily operates in the North Atlantic and covers areas that include the East Coast of the United States up to the Arctic Circle, but does not typically encompass regions assigned to other fleets. The Fifth Fleet operates in the Middle East, encompassing the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. The Sixth Fleet is responsible for operations in Europe and Africa, primarily in the Mediterranean Sea. The Seventh Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with its area of operation in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. Finally, it's important to note that the Eighth Fleet was a historical fleet during World War II that is no longer active. Considering the geographical areas of responsibility, the Eighth Fleet is the one that has never operated in the area covered by the Second Fleet since it does not currently exist and operated during a time when fleet designations and areas were different.