John B. Nathman

Infobox Military Person
name=John B. Nathman
born=
died=
placeofbirth=
placeofdeath=
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caption=Admiral John B. Nathman
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Navy
serviceyears=1970-2007
rank= Admiral
commands=U.S. Fleet Forces Command Carrier Group Seven Naval Air Forces
unit=
battles=
awards=Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (4) Bronze Star with V device Defense Meritorious Service Medal
relations=
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Military biography

Admiral John B. Nathman was the Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command until 17 May, 2007. A native of San Antonio, Texas, he graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1970. In 1972, he qualified as a naval aviator, receiving the Naval Training Command's Outstanding Pilot Graduate Award while also completing a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering.

Admiral Nathman has served in a variety of sea, shore and joint assignments, and flown over 40 different types of aircraft during his career. At sea, he flew the F-4 Phantom with Fighter Squadron Two Thirteen (VF 213) and the F-14 Tomcat with Fighter Squadron Fifty-One (VF 51). He also commanded Strike Fighter Squadron One Thirty-Two (VFA 132), leading his squadron in the first F/A-18 combat sorties against Libya in 1986. Admiral Nathman reported to the aircraft carrier USS "Nimitz" (CVN-68) in 1987 as Executive Officer, and subsequently assumed command of USS La Salle (AGF-3), the flagship for Commander, Middle East Force, during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Admiral Nathman returned to the "Nimitz" as its Commanding Officer from 1992-1994.

Ashore, Admiral Nathman was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, graduating with distinction in 1976. He served at Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), and oversaw the advanced tactical training of the school’s naval aviators. From 1982 to 1984, Nathman was the senior naval test pilot flying all project aircraft with the 4477 Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

Upon his selection to Flag rank in 1994, Admiral Nathman served on the NATO staff of Commander, Allied Forces Southern Europe (AF SOUTH), and as Director of Logistics for Commander, NATO Implementation Force (IFOR) during its first out-of-area deployment to Bosnia. In 1996, he commanded Carrier Group Seven, NIMITZ Carrier Strike Group and Battle Force FIFTY in the Persian Gulf. Admiral Nathman subsequently served as Director, Air Warfare, on the Chief of Naval Operations staff in Washington, D.C. In August 2000, he took command of Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and was designated Commander, Naval Air Forces in October 2001. In August 2002, Admiral Nathman was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and Programs (N6/N7) at the Pentagon.

Admiral Nathman served most recently as the 33rd Vice Chief of Naval Operations from August 2004 to February 2005. He assumed command of U.S. Fleet Forces Command on February 18, 2005, and subsequently retired.

Awards and decorations

His personal decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (three awards), Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star with Combat V, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V (two awards) and the Air Force Achievement Medal.

Post-military

On 2 Oct 2008, Mr Nathman published a comentary in the "Virginian-Pilot" praising presidential candidate Barack Obama.

ee also

Reference