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DeutschJames Kilby
James Kilby | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | James Wells Kilby |
| Born | 1963 (age 61–62) |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1986–present |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | Vice Chief of Naval Operations Carrier Strike Group 1 Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center USS Monterey USS Russell |
| Battles / wars | Gulf War |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (4) |
| Alma mater | United States Naval Academy (BS) |
James Wells Kilby[1] (born 1963)[2] is a United States Navy admiral who has served as the acting chief of naval operations since February 21, 2025, and as the vice chief of naval operations since January 5, 2024.[3][4][5] He previously served as the deputy commander of the United States Fleet Forces Command from 2021 to 2024.[6][7][8]
Early life and education
[edit]Raised in Pound Ridge, New York, Kilby is a 1986 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.[6]
Naval career
[edit]Kilby's sea tours include USS Sampson (DDG-10), USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and two tours aboard USS San Jacinto (CG 56). He commanded USS Russell (DDG 59) where he received the Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale Award for inspirational leadership. His major command was aboard USS Monterey (CG 61) and included its maiden Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) deployment in 2011.[6]
His shore tours include the Naval Postgraduate School; two tours in the Chief of Naval Operations' Surface Warfare Directorate, N96; Navy Personnel Command's Surface Warfare Division, PERS-41; and the Aegis BMD Program Office in the Missile Defense Agency.[6]
Kilby's flag assignments include Commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center; Commander, Carrier Strike Group 1; director of Warfare Integration, N9I; Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities, N9; Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; and Commander, Task Force Eight Zero.[6]
In July 2021, he was nominated to succeed David Kriete as deputy commander of the United States Fleet Forces Command.[9][10] In July 2023, he was nominated for promotion to admiral and assignment as Vice Chief of Naval Operations.
Kilby assumed the duties of Vice Chief of Naval Operations on January 5, 2024.[6] He became the acting Chief of Naval Operations on February 21, 2025, when President Donald Trump removed Admiral Lisa Franchetti from that post.[3] Kilby has said that he will work towards achieving the goal of his predecessor to get 80% of the Navy's ships to be ready for a combat deployment at any moment.[11]
In April 2025 he attended the Sea-Air-Space exposition hosted by the Navy League of the United States, where he met with the chief of staff of the Spanish Navy, in his capacity as the acting Chief of Naval Operations.[12] At the exposition he also said that the Navy will work on developing a more cost-efficient way of countering drones, after its experience during the Red Sea crisis.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "PN936 — Civilian — 99th Congress (1985-1986)". U.S. Congress. 19 March 1986. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
- ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. 1 October 1990. p. 125. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
- ^ a b Mongilio, Heather; LaGrone, Sam (21 February 2025). "UPDATED: Joint Chiefs Chair CQ Brown, CNO Franchetti Relieved, VCNO Kilby to Lead in Interim". USNI News. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
- ^ "Adm. Kilby Assumes Role as Vice Chief of Naval Operations". DVIDS.
- ^ "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public), February 2025" (PDF). MyNavyHR. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Vice Admiral James Kilby". www.navy.mil. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. - ^ Navy Flag Officer Panel: Superior Human Performance from Rapid Training Solutions: Delivering Warfighter Proficiency While Deployed
- ^ Stone, Ken (27 May 2014). "Capt. Kilby Named to Lead Navy Post Here; Carl Vinson Skipper Is Shipping Out". Times of San Diego. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ "PN821 — Vice Adm. James W. Kilby — Navy". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- ^ "Flag Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ a b Philips, Morgan (8 April 2025). "New Navy chief 'regrets' costly missile interceptors against Houthis, pushes for cheaper Red Sea defense". Fox News.
- ^ "Acting Chief of Naval Operations Strengthens Partnerships at Sea-Air-Space Exposition". navy.mil. 10 April 2025.
External links
[edit]
Media related to James W. Kilby at Wikimedia Commons- Appearances on C-SPAN
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