Nora W. Tyson

Nora W. Tyson

Vice Admiral Nora Wingfield Tyson
Born 1956/1957 (age 58–59)[1]
Memphis, Tennessee
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch  United States Navy
Years of service 1979–
Rank Vice admiral (United States)
Commands held USS Bataan (LHD-5)
Task Force 73
Carrier Strike Group Two
United States Third Fleet
Battles/wars Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan (OEF-A)
Operation New Dawn (OND)

Nora Wingfield Tyson, USN is an American naval officer. In 2015 she was installed as the new commander of the Navy’s Third Fleet, making her the first woman to lead a U.S. Navy ship fleet.[2][3] Tyson previously served as the commander of Carrier Strike Group Two (CCSG2), from July 29, 2010 to January 12, 2012; she was the first female commander of a U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group.[4] She then served as Vice Director of the Joint Staff beginning in February 2012.[5] In July 2013 she was promoted to Vice Admiral and named as Deputy Commander, US Fleet Forces Command.[6]

Education

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Nora Wingfield Tyson attended St. Mary's Episcopal School, graduating in 1975.[7] Tyson graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1979, majoring in English. Later that year, she attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in December 1979.[8] In 1995, Tyson earned her Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Affairs from the U.S. Naval War College.[8]

Naval career

After a tour in Washington D.C, Tyson became a Naval Flight Officer in 1983. She then served three tours in Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Four (VQ-4) in both Naval Air Station Patuxent River and Tinker Air Force Base, one of which as a commanding officer.[8] Ashore, she served as airborne communications officer course instructor and officer-in-charge at Naval Air Maintenance Training Detachment 1079, NAS Patuxent River, Maryland.[9]

Other shore duty assignments included serving as a political-military planner and assistant in the Asia-Pacific Division of the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Director of Staff for the Commander of Naval Forces Europe, and an executive assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations.[8][10]

Sea duty for Tyson included serving as a navigator aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and the operations officer on the training aircraft carrier USS Lexington.[8] Later, Captain Tyson commanded the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan during a time when the ship provided support for Hurricane Katrina relief, as well as undertaking two deployments to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.[8] In September 2007, Tyson was promoted to rear admiral (Lower Half) and took command of Task Force 73 in Singapore.[8][9][10]

Rear Admiral Tyson, is pinned to rear admiral upper half by Captain Jeffery A. Davis, commander of Carrier Air Wing 8, left, and Captain Brian E. Luther, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush

On July 29, 2010, Tyson assumed command of Carrier Strike Group Two, with the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush as its flagship, becoming the first woman to command a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier task group.[4][11][12] During the ceremony, she stated, "As far as the trailblazing piece, I understand I am the first woman on the job...but I'm a professional just like my fellow officers are, and my fellow strike group commanders."[13]

Carrier Strike Group Two completed its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) predeployment underway training cycle and subsequently departed Norfolk Naval Base on its 2011 overseas deployment under the command of Admiral Tyson on 11 May 2011. The carrier strike group operated with the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea and the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan (OEF-A).[14]

In an August 1, 2011 ceremony on the George Bush, Tyson was promoted to two-star rear admiral (Rear Admiral Upper Half). Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush administered the oath of office to Tyson via videolink from Kennebunkport, Maine.[15][16]

She served as Vice Director of the Joint Staff beginning in February 2012.[5] In July 2013 she was promoted to Vice Admiral and named as Deputy Commander, US Fleet Forces Command.[6]

In 2015 she was installed as the new commander of the Navy’s Third Fleet, making her the first woman to lead a U.S. Navy ship fleet.[2][3]

Awards and Decorations
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star

Gold star
Gold star
Bronze star

Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star

Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star

Badge Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Badge Naval Flight Officer Wings
1st Row Defense Superior Service Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster Legion of Merit w/ 4 award stars Meritorious Service Medal w/ 2 award stars
2nd Row Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 1 award star Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 award star Navy Unit Commendation w/ 1 service star
3rd Row Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 3 service stars Battle E Ribbon w/ 2nd award National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star
4th Row Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
5th Row Humanitarian Service Medal w/ 1 service star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 2 service stars Overseas Service Ribbon w/ 3 service stars
6th Row Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon NATO Medal Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon

Personal

Tyson resides in Williamsburg, Virginia, with her husband Wayne and enjoys playing golf.[17]

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Navy.

  1. ↑ Tom Charlier (2010-08-01). "Memphian becomes first woman to command Naval carrier strike group". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  2. 1 2 July 24, 2015, by Abbey Gibb. "First woman to lead Navy Fleet takes over | FOX5 San Diego – San Diego news, weather, traffic, sports from KSWB". Fox5sandiego.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  3. 1 2 Steele, Jeanette (1965-07-30). "1st woman at helm of U.S. ship fleet". SanDiegoUnionTribune.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  4. 1 2 Charlier, Tom (August 1, 2010). "Memphian becomes first woman to command Naval carrier strike group". The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tn. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  5. 1 2 Flag Officer Announcements U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs), January 19, 2012.
  6. 1 2 U.S. Fleet Forces Public Affairs. "Newest Three Star, Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, Named Deputy USFF". Navy.mil. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  7. ↑ "Alumnae Awards". St. Mary's Episcopal School. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Rear Admiral Nora W. Tyson Commander, Carrier Strike Group Two". U.S. Navy Biographies. U.S. Navy. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  9. 1 2 "Rear Admiral Nora W. Tyson Commander, Logistics Group, Western Pacific (COMLOGWESTPAC) in Singapore". carat090521-02. COMLOGWESTPAC. May 21, 2009. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
  10. 1 2 "USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE 6) Christening Ceremony April 6, 2008" (PDF). General Dynamics. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  11. ↑ "Rear Admiral Nora Tyson becomes the first female strike group commander". American Women Veterans. August 2, 2010. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  12. ↑ Colin E. Babb (Summer 2010). "Women Aviators Take Command" (PDF). Airscoop. Naval Aviation News. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  13. ↑ "First Woman Takes Helm of Carrier Group". Daily Press, Newport News, Va. July 31, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  14. ↑ "USS George H.W. Bush Departs for Maiden Deployment". NNS110511-07. USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs. May 11, 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-12.
  15. ↑ Reilly, Corinne, "Promotion Has A Special Guest: Former President", Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, 3 August 2011, p. B3.
  16. ↑ Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Timothy Walter, USN (August 2, 2011). "CSG 2 Commander Pins on Second Star, Former President Administers Oath". NNS110802-03. USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) Public Affairs. Retrieved 2011-08-15.
  17. ↑ "The Classes" (PDF). Vanderbilt University. p. 74. Retrieved 5 October 2010.

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