George M. Wikoff (born 1968)[2] is a United States Navy vice admiral who serves as the commander of the United States Naval Forces Central Command, United States Fifth Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces. He previously served as the vice director of the Joint Staff from 2021 to 2023.[1][3][4][5]
George Wikoff | |
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| Born | 1968 (age 55–56) New Brunswick, New Jersey[1] |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1990–present |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands held | United States Naval Forces Central Command United States Fifth Fleet Combined Maritime Forces Carrier Strike Group 5 Carrier Air Wing Three VFA-122 VFA-211 |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (4) |
| Alma mater | Catholic University |
In January 2023, Wikoff was nominated for promotion to vice admiral and assignment as commander of the United States Naval Forces Central Command, United States Fifth Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces.[6][7] He served as acting commander of Naval Air Forces from September 7, 2023 to January 2024.[8]
Career highlights edit
Topgun instructor (Lieutenant) at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), 1998.
On 6 July 1998, Wikoff was pilot of F-14 Tomcat BuNo 160408 for a 1-V-1 training mission at Fallon Range Training Complex. A mis-rigged throttle, when retarded to idle, caused a compressor stall of one engine and the aircraft entered a spin. The crew, Wickoff and RIO Art "Kato" Delacruz,[9] both instructors at NSAWC, successfully ejected.[10]
References edit
- ^ a b "Rear Admiral George Wikoff". www.navy.mil.
- ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1990. p. 192. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
- ^ "US Navy Admiral hails Beijing as 'cordial, professional' in South China Sea". South China Morning Post. October 17, 2019.
- ^ "Wikoff Takes Command of 7th Fleet's Task Force 70". U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
- ^ "Rear Adm. George M. Wikoff, commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, visits USS McCampbell (DDG 85)". DVIDS.
- ^ "PN211 — Rear Adm. George M. Wikoff — Navy". United States Congress. January 26, 2023.
- ^ "Flag Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense.
- ^ LaGrone, Sam (August 25, 2023). "Acting Commanders Set to Take Charge of Naval Academy, Naval Air Forces and NAVSEA". USNI News. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ Rescuer Reunites with TOPGUN Instructor He Plucked from Desert, Julie H Case, Team Rubicon, 2022-06-02, accessed 2023-01-31
- ^ Tomcats of TOPGUN, Key.Aero, accessed 2023-01-31
External links edit
Media related to George M. Wikoff at Wikimedia Commons
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