One of the original F/A-18 pilots has been nominated for the top spot at Naval Forces Central Command, according to a Tuesday release from the Defense Department.

President Obama has selected Rear Adm. Kevin "Kid" Donegan, the acting deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy, to pin on another star and take command at U.S. 5th Fleet, according to the release.

Donegan already has Middle East experience under his belt, having served as director of operations for U.S. Central Command before moving on in 2012.

A 1980 University of Virginia graduate, he served his first operational assignment with the "Wildcats" of Strike Fighter Squadron 131, the fleet's first F/A-18 squadron.

He was one of the first Hornet pilots to deploy from the East Coast, a cruise that culminated in successful airstrikes against Libya in 1986.

Rear Adm. Kevin Donegan, center right, commander of Battle Force 7th Fleet, speaks with Vice Adm. Golez, Vice Adm. Marayag and Adm. Tamayo on the navigation bridge during a visit aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington. George Washington is the Navy?s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean.

Rear Adm. Kevin Donegan, center right, commander of Battle Force 7th Fleet, speaks with Philippine Vice Adm. Marayag during a visit aboard the aircraft carrier George Washington in 2009.

Photo Credit: SNA Rachel Hatch/Navy

He did his department head tour with VFA-37 before becoming executive officer of the aircraft carrier George Washington. He later returned to VFA-131 as commanding officer before going on to command the carrier Carl Vinson.

He then commanded Battle Force 7th Fleet and Carrier Strike Group 5 aboard George Washington.

He has clocked more than 3,800 hours in 30-plus types of aircraft, including 800 traps on 15 different carriers, according to his official bio.

His shore assignments include his prior CENTCOM job, director of the Navy Quadrennial Defense Review, Navy staff director of strategy and policy and, later, director of warfare integration, and as the aide to the deputy chief of naval operations for plans, policy and operations.

Previous joint assignments include flag lieutenant to the commander of Allied Forces Southern Europe in Naples, Italy, where he deployed to Sarajevo as the NATO liaison officer to the commander, United Nations Protection Forces.

He is a graduate of U.S. Navy Test Pilot School, Navy Fighter Weapons School, Navy Nuclear Power School, the Air Force Command and Staff College, the Joint Forces Staff College and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government's executive education program.

His awards include Defense Superior Service Medal, five Legions of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals and two Navy Achievement Medals.

Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.

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