Wednesday, November 9
VICE ADM. NICHOLS RETURNS TO CENTCOM
| November 8, 2005 TAMPA, Fla. – Navy Vice Adm. David C. Nichols Jr. assumed duties as Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., today. Nichols comes to USCENTCOM after serving as the Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet; Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command; and Commander, Combined Maritime Force in Bahrain. Following graduation from the University of Tennessee, Nichols was commissioned in the U.S. Army through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He is a graduate of Army Ranger School. After lateral transfer to the Navy and Naval Flight Officer training he reported for training in the A-6 Intruder. Nichols has commanded at the squadron, Carrier Air Wing, and Carrier Group level. He also commanded the Navy’s “Top Gun” school, the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center. He previously served at CENTCOM as the Deputy Director of Operations from June of 1998 to 2000. He has deployed in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. He has 5,000 flight hours in various models of Navy aircraft. His military decorations include Defense Superior Service, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service, Air, Navy Commendation, and Navy Achievement medals. He was a recipient of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Naval Flight Officer of the Year award as a Lieutenant Commander and the Senator Henry M. Jackson Memorial Leadership award as a Commander. Weblog LINK |
