Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced that President Joe Biden made three naval nominations for positions at U.S. Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and the Joint Staff.
Vice Adm. Daryl Caudle was nominated to be appointed as admiral, and assigned as commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, based in Norfolk, Va. Caudle currently serves concurrently as commander of Naval Submarine Forces, Submarine Force in the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Allied Submarine Command. He assumed his current duties in November 2019. He previously served as Vice Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy on the Joint Staff (J-5) and commander of Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
If confirmed, Caudle would succeed Adm. Christopher Grady, who has served in the position since May 2018 and assumed the duties as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Strategic Command and U.S. Strategic Command Joint Force Maritime Component Commander since February 2019.
The president also nominated Vice Adm. James Kilby to be reappointed as vice admiral and assigned as deputy command of U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
Kilby currently serves as deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting requirements and capabilities, N-9 and has been in that role since July 2019. He previously served as director of warfare integration (OPNAV N9I), commander of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, and the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center.
Separately, Rear Adm. (upper half) Frank Whitworth III was nominated to be appointed to rank of vice admiral, and assigned to serve as director of intelligence, J-2 on the Joint Staff.