Foggo Tapped To Lead U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Africa; U.S. 5th Fleet Donegan to Director of Navy Staff

June 13, 2017 5:00 PM
Vice Adm. James Foggo, Director, Navy Staff (DNS) speaks on Dec. 6, 2016. US Navy Photo

Vice Adm. James Foggo, former U.S. 6th Fleet commander and current director of the Navy Staff, has been tapped to lead U.S. naval forces in Europe and Africa, according to a Tuesday announcement from the Pentagon.

If confirmed by the Senate, Foggo will replace current U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and Allied Joint Forces Command commander Adm. Michelle Howard and return to Europe after less than a year in the Pentagon.

While at U.S. 6th Fleet, Foggo tenure included an increase in naval forces, particularly the forward-stationing of four Aegis ballistic missile defense destroyers in Rota, Spain, and the creation of a ballistic missile defense and integrated air and missile defense task force, as well as an increase in Russian naval activity in Europe – including both continual submarine presence as well as sporadic aggressive behaviors such as buzzing American ships and planes.

Foggo is set to be replaced as the director, Navy Staff by the current commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command and commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, according to a June 7th nomination announcement.

The Department of Defense has yet to announce the next commander of U.S. 5th Fleet.

Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, commander of U.S. 5th Fleet, receives the National Defence Medal from French Rear Adm. Antoine Beaussant, joint commander of French Naval Forces in the Indian Ocean during an awards ceremony at the French embassy in Bahrain on June 26, 2016. US Navy Photo

The following is the complete June 13, 2017 statement on nomination of Vice Adm. James Foggo for assignment as commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa; and commander, Allied Joint Forces Command, Naples, Italy.

Navy Vice Adm. James G. Foggo III for appointment to the rank of admiral, and for assignment as commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa; and commander, Allied Joint Forces Command, Naples, Italy. Foggo is currently serving as director, Navy Staff, N09B, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.

The following was the June 7, 2017 statement on the nomination of Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan to the director of Navy Staff.

Navy Vice Adm. Kevin M. Donegan for reappointment to the rank of vice admiral, and for assignment as director, Navy Staff, N09B, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia. Donegan is currently serving as commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command; and commander, Fifth Fleet, Bahrain.

 

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
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