George Wikoff
Born1968 (age 55–56)
New Brunswick, New Jersey[1]
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1990–present
RankVice Admiral
Commands heldUnited States Naval Forces Central Command
United States Fifth Fleet
Combined Maritime Forces
Carrier Strike Group 5
Carrier Air Wing Three
VFA-122
VFA-211
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (4)
Alma materCatholic University

George M. Wikoff (born 1968)[2] is a United States Navy vice admiral who serves as the commander of the United States Naval Forces Central Command, United States Fifth Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces. He previously served as the vice director of the Joint Staff from 2021 to 2023.[1][3][4][5]

In January 2023, Wikoff was nominated for promotion to vice admiral and assignment as commander of the United States Naval Forces Central Command, United States Fifth Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces.[6][7] He served as acting commander of Naval Air Forces from September 7, 2023 to January 2024.[8]

Career highlights

Topgun instructor (Lieutenant) at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), 1998.

On 6 July 1998, Wikoff was pilot of F-14 Tomcat BuNo 160408 for a 1-V-1 training mission at Fallon Range Training Complex. A mis-rigged throttle, when retarded to idle, caused a compressor stall of one engine and the aircraft entered a spin. The crew, Wickoff and RIO Art "Kato" Delacruz,[9] both instructors at NSAWC, successfully ejected.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b "Rear Admiral George Wikoff". www.navy.mil.
  2. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1990. p. 192. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  3. ^ "US Navy Admiral hails Beijing as 'cordial, professional' in South China Sea". South China Morning Post. October 17, 2019.
  4. ^ "Wikoff Takes Command of 7th Fleet's Task Force 70". U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
  5. ^ "Rear Adm. George M. Wikoff, commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, visits USS McCampbell (DDG 85)". DVIDS.
  6. ^ "PN211 — Rear Adm. George M. Wikoff — Navy". United States Congress. January 26, 2023.
  7. ^ "Flag Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense.
  8. ^ LaGrone, Sam (August 25, 2023). "Acting Commanders Set to Take Charge of Naval Academy, Naval Air Forces and NAVSEA". USNI News. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  9. ^ Rescuer Reunites with TOPGUN Instructor He Plucked from Desert, Julie H Case, Team Rubicon, 2022-06-02, accessed 2023-01-31
  10. ^ Tomcats of TOPGUN, Key.Aero, accessed 2023-01-31

External links

Military offices Preceded bySara A. Joyner Commander of Carrier Air Wing 3 2013–201? Succeeded by??? Preceded byKarl O. Thomas Commander of Carrier Strike Group 5 2019–2020 Succeeded byWill Pennington Preceded byWilliam D. Byrne Jr. Vice Director of the Joint Staff 2021–2023 Succeeded byMichael L. Downs Preceded byKenneth R. Whitesell Commander of Naval Air Forces and Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific FleetActing 2023–2024 Succeeded byDouglas C. Verissimo Preceded byCharles Cooper II Commander of the United States Naval Forces Central Command, United States Fifth Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces 2024–present Incumbent


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