William Paul Pennington[1] (born 1967)[2] is a retired United States Navy rear admiral who last served as chief of staff of the United States Space Command from August 24, 2022.[3] He most recently served as deputy commander of the United States Tenth Fleet from November 2021 to August 2022. He previously commanded Carrier Strike Group 5 from November 2020 to October 2021.[4]

Will Pennington
Official portrait, 2022
Born1967 (age 5859)
AllegianceUnited States
Branch
United States Navy
Service years
1989–2025
Rank
Rear Admiral
CommandsCarrier Strike Group 5
USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77)
USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19)
VFA-14
Conflicts
Iraqi no-fly zones conflict
Kosovo War
Iraq War
War in Afghanistan
War against the Islamic State
AwardsLegion of Merit

Biography

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A native of Wilton, Iowa, Pennington graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1989 with a B.S. degree in economics. He later earned a masters degree from Old Dominion University. He also attended the Harvard Kennedy School, Air Command and Staff College, and Joint Forces Staff College.[4]

Pennington was designated a naval aviator in 1991 and has deployed 10 times with operational tours in F-14 and FA-18 aircraft supporting Operations Southern Watch, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, and Freedom Sentinel. Early assignments include Fighter Squadron (VF) 154 forward deployed to NAF Atsugi, Japan, the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Eight Staff, and Fighter Squadron (VF) 14. He later returned to command Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14. Additional sea tours include executive officer, USS George H.W. Bush; commanding officer, USS Blue Ridge; commanding officer, USS George H.W. Bush; and commander, Carrier Strike Group Five and Task Force 70 homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.[4]

Dates of promotion

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RankDate
Rear Admiral (lower half)August 1, 2018[5]
Rear AdmiralJune 1, 2022[6]

References

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  1. "Aircraft Carrier Photo Index: USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN-77)". NavSource.
  2. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1990. p. 178. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  3. "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public), September 2022" (PDF). United States Navy. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 2, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 "Rear Admiral Will Pennington". United States Navy. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. "April 2022 Roster Public" (PDF). United States Navy. April 1, 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2022. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public), June 2022" (PDF). United States Navy. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 1, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
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