Scott H. Swift

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Scott H. Swift
Admiral Scott H. Swift in May 2015
Born1957 (age 66–67)
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1979 – present
Rank Admiral
Commands heldUnited States Pacific Fleet
Director of Navy Staff
United States Seventh Fleet
Deputy Commander, Naval Forces; U.S. Central Command
Director of Operations U.S. Pacific Command
Battles/warsOperation Praying Mantis
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
AwardsNavy Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star Medal

Scott Harbison Swift (born 1957[citation needed]) is an admiral in the United States Navy, serving as the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet since May 27th, 2015. He previously served as the director of Navy Staff in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations.[1]

Naval career

Swift attended San Diego State University and received his commission in 1979 through the Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate Program. He received his master's degree from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

His operational assignments include: Attack Squadron (VA) 94; VA-97; Carrier Air Wing 11 staff; commander Strike Fighter Attack Squadron 97; commander, Carrier Air Wing 14; deputy commander, Naval Forces; U.S. Central Command, commander, Carrier Strike Group 9, and commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. During those tours he participated in combat Operations Praying Mantis, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He became director, Navy Staff in September 2013.

His shore tour assignments include: VA-122; Naval War College; commander of Strike Fighter Weapons School, Pacific; F/A-18 requirements officer OPNAV staff; command of VFA-122; Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics staff; and, director of Operations U.S. Pacific Command.

Swift has been recognized as the Commander, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet Landing Signal Officer of the Year, and was presented the Commander Michael G. Hoff Award as the U.S. Pacific Fleet Attack Aviator of the Year.[2]

He was nominated for promotion to admiral on November 20, 2014 to assume the command of the United States Pacific Fleet and was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 11, 2014.[3] He took over from Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr. in a ceremony on May 27, 2015.

During the July 2017 Exercise Talisman Saber, an audience member at Australian National University asked Swift if he would carry out any order from President Donald Trump to launch a nuclear strike on China, to which Swift replied yes.[4]

On September 25, 2017, Swift announced that he would retire after he was notified by the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm John Richardson, that Swift would not be nominated to take over leadership of the United States Pacific Command, the inter-branch theater command for the Pacific region. Swift is among several flag officers to be removed or announce an early retirement following a series of deadly accidents involving Navy vessels in the Pacific Fleet in 2017. [5]

Awards and decorations

Naval Aviator insignia
Command at Sea insignia
Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge
Gold star
 Navy Distinguished Service Medal with gold award star
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Defense Superior Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with 2 gold award stars
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal with 3 award stars
Air Medal with Combat V and bronze Strike/Flight numeral "2"
Gold star
 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with award star
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three award stars
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with three service stars
Navy "E" Ribbon with three Battle E devices
Bronze star
 National Defense Service Medal with service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with three service stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with seven service stars
Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal

December 2015 Swift warned of a possible South China Sea arms race increase.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Vice Adm. Swift nominated to take over Pacific Fleet". Stars and Stripes.
  2. ^ Dan Petty. "Navy.mil Leadership Biographies".
  3. ^ "U.S. Senate: Nominations Confirmed (Non-civilian)". 8 June 2015.
  4. ^ Ramzy, Austin (28 July 2017). "What if Trump Ordered a Nuclear Strike on China? I'd Comply, Says Admiral". The New York Times. p. A8. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  5. ^ Kube, Courtney; Stelloh, Tim (September 25, 2017). "Pacific Fleet Commander to Retire in Wake of Deadly Crashes". NBC News. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  6. ^ U.S. Navy commander warns of possible South China Sea arms race 15 December 2015 MSN
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