Vice Adm. Paul Grosklags was nominated to take command of Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the Defense Department announced.
Grosklags currently serves as the principal military deputy for the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, Sean Stackley. The 1982 Naval Academy graduate has previously served as NAVAIR assistant commander for Logistics and Industrial Operation, NAVAIR vice commander and as program executive officer for air anti-submarine warfare, assault and special mission programs, which is affiliated with NAVAIR.
As a flag officer, he also served as commander of the Fleet Readiness Centers. Earlier in his career, the DeKalb, Ill.-native served as“MH-60R assistant program manager for systems engineering, H-60 assistant program manager for test and evaluation, MH-60R deputy program manager, and ultimately as program manager for Multi-Mission Helicopters (PMA-299), during which time the MH-60R was successfully introduced to the fleet,” according to his Navy biography.
He flew SH-2F and SH-60B helicopters in Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadrons 34 and 42, respectively, and deployed aboard USS John Hancock (DD-981), USS Donald B. Beary (FF-1085), USS Comte de Grasse (DD-974), and USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55). Grosklags also served as executive and commanding officer of Helicopter Training Squadron Eighteen.
If confirmed by the Senate, Grosklags would replace Vice Adm. David Dunaway, who has led NAVAIR since September 2012.