Biden makes major Navy nominations, include first female CNO

President Biden announced his intent to nominate several top Navy officials today, including Adm. Lisa Franchetti to be the first woman to serve as chief of naval operations. She currently serves as the vice chief.

Biden also intends to nominate Vice Adm. James Kilby to serve as vice CNO, Adm. Samuel Paparo to be chief of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Vice Adm. Stephen Koehler to be commander of the Pacific Fleet.

Franchetti, according to a White House announcement, previously served as the director for strategy, plans, and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet.

Kilby, currently serves as the deputy commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, “which trains, equips, certifies, and provides combat-ready Navy forces to combatant commands around the world,” the White House said.

Paparo currently serves as the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

“He previously served as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces,” the White House said.

Koehler currently serves as the director for strategy, plans, and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“A naval aviator, he previously served as the commander of the U.S. Third Fleet, director of Fleet Training at U.S. Fleet Forces Command, deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, and director for operations at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command,” the White House said.

All nominees, however, remain subject to a monthslong, blanket hold in place by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) over his objections to the Pentagon’s leave and travel reimbursement policies for U.S. servicemembers seeking abortion services.