SAN DIEGO – Vice Adm. Nora Tyson will be relieved by Vice Adm. John D. Alexander as Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet during a change of command ceremony, Sept. 15. The change of command ceremony will take place aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), while pierside at Naval Air Station North Island, where Tyson will retire after 38 years of service.
In July 2010, Tyson became the first woman to command a carrier strike group when she took control of the George H.W. Bush Strike Group, leading 13 ships, 80 combatant aircraft, and about 9,000 Sailors, as the commander of Carrier Strike Group Two. She led the strike group on its maiden deployment where they conducted combat operations in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.
When she assumed command of U.S. 3rd Fleet in July 2015, Tyson became the first woman to command an operational numbered fleet.
Under her command, 3rd Fleet’s role expanded in the Pacific under the U.S. Pacific Fleet initiative Third Fleet Forward. Third Fleet Forward is an operational concept where 3rd Fleet maintains command and control of units throughout their deployment rather than transferring operational control to U.S. 7th Fleet once units cross the International Date Line. This provides the Pacific Fleet commander with additional flexibility and options by applying the full range of capabilities of both numbered fleets based on specific missions rather than geographic areas.
During her time on board, Tyson oversaw Third Fleet Forward deployments of two surface action groups, a carrier strike group, and several independently deploying ships.
Her other commands include commander of Task Force 73/Logistics Group Western Pacific based in Singapore, and as commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), where she led the Navy’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina and deployed twice to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
She served tours as deputy commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command; vice director of the Joint Staff; executive assistant for the Chief of Naval Operations; director of staff at Commander, Naval Forces Europe/Commander U.S. 6th Fleet; executive assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; political-military planner in the Asia-Pacific Division of the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5).
Tyson completed three tours at Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 4, serving as a department head, an executive officer, and a commanding officer, and she also served as assistant operations officer aboard the training aircraft carrier USS Lexington (AVT 16); and as navigator of USS Enterprise (CVN 65).
She will be relieved by Vice Adm. John D. Alexander, whose most recent assignment was as director of Maritime Operations at U.S. Fleet Forces Command, where he reported in August 2016.
Alexander’s command tours include commander; Battle Force 7th Fleet (CTF 70/CSG 5), forwarded deployed aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in Yokosuka, Japan; assistant commander for Career Management at Navy Personnel Command; commanding officer of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135; USS Juneau (LPD 10), forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan; and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
He also served tours as an A-6E bombardier/navigator with Attack Squadron (VA) 165, VA-155, and VA-196; staff of Cruiser Destroyer Group 3; executive officer of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69); assistant to the director of the Joint Staff; aviation commander detailer (PER-431); and as an A-6E instructor at VA-128.
U.S. 3rd Fleet was formed during World War II on March 15, 1943, under the command of Fleet Adm. William F. “Bull” Halsey. Third Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. Third Fleet constantly coordinates with U.S. 7th Fleet to plan and execute missions that promote ongoing peace, security, and stability throughout the Pacific theater of operations.
