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Navy Vice Adm. Scott H. Swift was nominated Thursday to become the next commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Pentagon announced.
Swift has been serving as director of the Navy Staff in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington for the past year.
He will replace Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. who was nominated in September to be come the next leader of Pacific Command whose area of responsibility includes most of Asia.
Both Swift and Harris’ nominations are subject to Senate confirmation.
The Pacific Fleet encompasses nearly 200 surface ships and submarines and nearly 1,100 aircraft from the U.S. West Coast to the Indian Ocean. It includes more than 140,000 sailors and civilians.
From September 2011 to July 2013, Swift commanded the Navy’s Seventh Fleet and its 70 ships, 300 aircraft and 40,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel.
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, Newport, R.I.
Swift has commanded Strike Fighter Attack Squadron 97; and Carrier Air Wing 14; and Strike Fighter Weapons School.
In 2011, Swift was director of operations at Pacific Command.
Swift has been recognized as the Commander, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet Landing Signal Officer of the Year, presented the Commander Michael G. Hoff Award as the U.S. Pacific Fleet Attack Aviator of the Year, and has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal with Combat V.
