Trump taps Lescher as VCNO, Burke heading to U.S. Naval Forces Europe

The Pentagon today announced it will promote Vice Adm. William Lescher to be the new vice chief of naval operations, as Adm. Robert Burke heads to a new posting as the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe.

The Defense Department disclosed the moves in a series of flag officer announcements today.

Lescher, the deputy chief of naval operations for the integration of capabilities and resources, is up for a promotion to admiral. Burke, who has been the VCNO since June 2019, will also serve as the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Africa and Allied Joint Forces Command when he moves to his new position.

Meanwhile, Rear Adm. Gene Black, who has been the surface warfare director within the office of the chief of naval operations since May 2019, is up for a promotion to vice admiral and will head to U.S. 6th Fleet as its new commander.

A separate list of flag officer assignments from the chief of naval operations and the Navy secretary says Rear Adm. Paul Schlise will replace Black as the new surface warfare director, or N96.

Vice Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the commander of U.S. 6th Fleet since March 2018, will become the deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development, according to the Pentagon's flag officer announcements. The Navy stood up N7 last year as a new warfighting directorate within the office of the chief of naval operations.

Rear Adm. Randy Crites, the Navy's deputy assistant secretary for budget, is up for a promotion to vice admiral. Crites will replace Lescher as the deputy chief of naval operations for the integration of capabilities and resources, or N8.