Navy announces flag nominations - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Navy announces flag nominations

The president has nominated the three-star head of the surface Navy to return to the Pentagon as director of the Navy Staff, one of a slew of flag nominations announced Thursday by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

Vice Adm. Richard Hunt, head of Naval Surface Forces, has been nominated for the Navy Staff and reappointment as a three-star. His relief was also named: Rear Adm. Thomas Copeman III, a surface warfare officer who is currently serving as chief of legislative affairs in Washington, D.C. These nominations must be confirmed by the Senate.

In addition, the president nominated 22 Navy captains for promotion to rear admiral, nominations now pending Senate confirmation. Those tapped for one-star are:

* Capt. John D. Alexander, commanding officer, the USS Abraham Lincoln, Everett, Wash.

* Capt. Brian K. Antonio, executive assistant to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, Washington, D.C.

* Capt. Bret C. Batchelder, director, Aviation Officer Career Management and Distribution, PERS 43, Naval Personnel Command, Millington, Tenn.

* Capt. Ronald A. Boxall, executive assistant to the deputy chief of naval operations for integration of capabilities and resources, N8, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.

* Capt. Robert P. Burke, director, Submarine/Nuclear Power Distribution Division, PERS 42, Naval Personnel Command, Millington, Tenn.

* Capt. Brian B. Brown, executive assistant to the director, oceanography, space and maritime domain awareness, N2/N6E, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Oceanographer of the Navy, Washington, D.C.

* Capt. Luther B. Fuller III, commander, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, N.H.

* Capt. David J. Hahn, major program manager, Submarine Combat and Weapons Control Systems, PMS-425, Program Executive Office for Submarines, Washington, D.C.

* Capt. John F. Kirby, senior military assistant for public affairs, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.

* Capt. Alexander L. Krongard, director, combating terrorism, National Security Council, Washington, D.C.

* Capt. Andrew L. Lewis, executive assistant to the director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.

* Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey, assistant chief of staff, force readiness, N40, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego, Calif.

* Capt. Bruce F. Loveless, commander, Joint Intelligence Operations Center Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

* Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, commanding officer, USS Harry S. Truman, Norfolk, Va.

* Capt. John P. Neagley, major program manager for littoral combat ships, PMS-501, Program Executive Office for Littoral Combat Ships, Washington, D.C.

* Capt. Patrick A. Piercey, executive assistant to the assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.

* Capt. Markham K. Rich, chief of staff, Navy Region Southwest, San Diego, Calif.

* Capt. Charles A. Richard, chief of staff, U.S. Strategic Command, Special Activities Atlantic, Norfolk, Va.

* Capt. Paul A. Sohl, commanding officer, Naval Test Wing Pacific, Point Mugu, Calif.

* Capt. Cynthia M. Thebaud, branch head, Strategy and Policy Division, N511, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.

* Capt. Brad Williamson, executive assistant to the deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Va.

* Capt. Ricky L. Williamson, deputy director, plans and programs, Naval Installations Command, Washington, D.C.