Rear Admiral Phil Davidson — U.S. Navy (West '78)

Описание: Rear Admiral Phil Davidson leads 11 ships, over 60 aircraft and more than 6,000 Navy men and women as the Commander, Carrier Strike Group EIGHT/Commander, EISENHOWER Strike Group. He has just returned from a seven-month deployment overseas where his Strike Group's operations included close air support to U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, counter-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean, and maritime security operations with allies and partners in the Persian Gulf region. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and his early service was in frigates and destroyers in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. Later, he commanded the guided missile frigate USS Taylor (FFG50) and the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG64), winning Battle Efficiency awards for the most outstanding ship and crew in its squadron or group with both ships. He is a combat veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom and Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He participated in the search and salvage of Korean Air Lines (KAL) 007, the enforcement of U.N. sanctions against illegal Iraqi shipping and goods, and the interdiction and seizure of more than 28 metric tons of illegal narcotics during his career. He has also served ashore in important roles in the Pentagon and other headquarters, and as a military aide to the vice president (1993-95) in the White House. He has a master's degree and numerous military awards.