The Coronado Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce that Vice Admiral Nora W. Tyson, Commander of the Navy’s 3rd Fleet, will be the Distinguished Speaker at their 32nd Annual Salute to the Military Ball, set for Saturday, March 11, 2017 at the Hotel del Coronado. Since 1985, the Coronado Chamber of Commerce has hosted this black tie affair, giving Coronado citizens and businesses an opportunity to thank local military families.
“Each year, we seek a speaker who has a timely and new perspective on the military’s role in our society,” said Sue Gillingham, Executive Director of the Chamber. “As the first woman to lead the 3rd Fleet, which covers 50 million square miles and dates back to World War II, Admiral Tyson is the perfect fit as she rolls out operational innovations in the Navy’s 3rd Fleet.”
The evening will also include the presentation of the 19th annual Captain Harry T. Jenkins Memorial Award and the 6th annual VADM James & Sybil Stockdale Award to deserving military members. The Harry T. Jenkins Award emphasizes honor, integrity and commitment. The Stockdale Award recognizes a military couple who best exemplify the selfless service and dedication to the community, the military, and the country.
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Admiral Tyson graduated from Vanderbilt University and received her commission from Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. She earned her wings as a naval flight officer in 1983 and reported to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 4, where she ultimately served three tours at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland, and Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, including one as commanding officer.
Admiral Tyson also commanded the amphibious assault ship, USS Bataan (LHD 5), leading the Navy’s contributions to disaster relief efforts on the U.S. Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and deploying twice to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her other commands include commander, Task Force 73/commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific based in Singapore and, most recently, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, where she led the USS George H.W. Bush Strike Group on its maiden deployment in support of operations in both 6th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. Her other tours at sea include assistant operations officer aboard the training aircraft carrier, USS Lexington (AVT 16), and as navigator aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65).
Her shore tours include service on the Joint Staff as a political-military planner in the Asia-Pacific Division of the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5); as executive assistant for the assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; as director of staff for Commander, Naval Forces Europe/Commander, 6th Fleet; as executive assistant for the Chief of Naval Operations; and as vice director, Joint Staff. Tyson’s last tour was as deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Tyson reported as Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet in July 2015.
The Chamber would like to thank Admiral Tyson for her support of this important annual event. Please contact the Coronado Chamber of Commerce at (619) 435-9260 or email [email protected] with questions or more information on either sponsoring or attending this event. More information can also be found on the Chamber website at http://www.coronadochamber.com/coronado-military-ball.html.
