Newest Three Star, Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, Named Deputy USFF
Adm. Bill Gortney, commander U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) command, promoted Nora W. Tyson to vice admiral in a ceremony held at USFF headquarters aboard Naval Support Activity Norfolk July 15.
Tyson assumes the position of deputy commander USFF and also is Director of the Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Center of Excellence (CJOS COE). CJOS, the only NATO COE in the U.S., provides a focus for the sponsoring nations and NATO in improving allied ability to conduct combined joint operations from the sea in order to ensure that current and emerging global security challenges can be successfully solved.
A native of Memphis, Tenn., Tyson graduated from Vanderbilt University and received her commission from Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I. 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, Md., and Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., including one as commanding officer.
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 deployed 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 commander, Carrier Strike Group Two, where she led USS George H.W. Bush Strike Group on its maiden deployment in support of operations in both 6th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility.
Tyson completed a tour as vice director, Joint Staff prior to reporting to USFF.
