George Wikoff

{{short description|U.S. Navy admiral}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Use American English|date=May 2021}} {{Infobox military person | name = George Wikoff | image = ADM George M. Wikoff.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1968}} | birth_place = New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | burial_place = | allegiance = United States | branch = United States Navy | service_years = 1990–present | rank = Admiral | service_number = | unit = | commands = United States Naval Forces Europe and Africa Allied Joint Force Command Naples United States Naval Forces Central Command United States Fifth Fleet Combined Maritime Forces Naval Air Forces (acting) Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (acting) Carrier Strike Group 5 Carrier Air Wing 3 VFA-122 VFA-211 | battles = {{Tree list}} *War in Afghanistan *Red Sea crisis **Operation Poseidon Archer **Operation Rough Rider *Twelve-Day War **Operation Midnight Hammer {{Tree list end}} | awards = Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (4) | alma_mater = Catholic University of America University of Arkansas | relations = | other_work = }} '''George M. Wikoff''' (born 1968) is an American admiral who has served as the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples since 2025.

Wikoff graduated from George Washington University's Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in 1990 and became a naval aviator in the United States Navy. He served on several aircraft carriers and was an instructor at TOPGUN. His senior commands included Carrier Air Wing 3, Carrier Strike Group 5, and concurrently the Naval Air Forces and the Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, the latter in an acting capacity from 2023 to 2024. He was also the vice director of the Joint Staff from 2021 to 2023. Wikoff served as the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. Fifth Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces from 2024 to 2025, and oversaw operations during the Red Sea crisis and the Twelve-Day War.

==Early life and education== George M. Wikoff was born in 1968<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DD8BVZeVFP4C&pg=PA192 |title=Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty |date=October 1, 1990 |page=192 |publisher=Bureau of Naval Personnel |access-date=June 5, 2021}}</ref> and is a native of New Brunswick, New Jersey.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/Search/Article/2236267/admiral-george-m-wikoff/|title=Admiral George M. Wikoff|website=www.navy.mil|publisher=U.S. Navy}}</ref> He is a 1990 graduate of the Catholic University of America, and was commissioned through the George Washington University Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program. Wikoff also earned a master's degree from the University of Arkansas.<ref name="auto" />

==Naval career== Wikoff became a naval aviator with experience flying the F-14 Tomcat and the F/A-18 Hornet. He served operationally in Fighter Squadron (VF) 102 aboard {{USS|America|CV-66}} and VF-154 forward deployed to Atsugi, Japan on {{USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63}}. Command assignments include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 deployed aboard {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65}}, VFA-122, Carrier Air Wing 3 deployed aboard {{USS|Harry S. Truman|CVN 75}}, and Carrier Strike Group 5 forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan aboard {{USS|Ronald Reagan|CVN 76}}.<ref name="USNI-2023">{{Cite web |first=Sam |last=Lagrone |title=New Commanders Nominated to Lead Pacific, Middle East Fleets |work=USNI News |date=28 January 2023 |access-date=6 March 2026 |url=https://news.usni.org/2023/01/28/white-house-nominates-new-commanders-for-pacific-middle-east-fleets }}</ref><ref name="CENTCOM">{{Cite web |title=Cooper Hands Over Command of U.S. 5th Fleet to Wikoff |date=1 February 2024 |access-date=6 March 2026 |work=www.centcom.mil |publisher=U.S. Central Command |url=https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/News-Article-View/Article/3663201/cooper-hands-over-command-of-us-5th-fleet-to-wikoff/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3033335/us-navy-admiral-george-wikoff-hails-beijing-cordial|title=US Navy Admiral hails Beijing as 'cordial, professional' in South China Sea|date=October 17, 2019|website=South China Morning Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/1975118/wikoff-takes-command-of-7th-fleets-task-force-70/|title=Wikoff Takes Command of 7th Fleet's Task Force 70|website=U.S. Indo-Pacific Command}}</ref>

Wikoff’s shore assignments include the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, as TOPGUN training officer; Navy Personnel Command as placement officer for the Tomcat and Super Hornet communities; Joint Staff as an action officer in the Operations Directorate, Deputy Directorate for Antiterrorism and Homeland Defense (J-34); Chief of Naval Operations staff as air warfare special programs requirements officer (N88); the Combined Air and Space Operations Center as battle director in Qatar; U.S. Naval Forces Central Command as Chief of Staff and Maritime Operations Center Director in Bahrain, Executive Assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations, Joint Staff as Deputy Director for Operations (OT-5) and Assistant Director for Global Integration and Current Operations (J-33), and Vice Director, Joint Staff.<ref name="auto" /><ref name="USNI-2023" /><ref name="CENTCOM" />

He took office as vice director of the Joint Staff in May 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rear Admiral George Wikoff |work=www.navy.mil |publisher=U.S. Navy |date=27 September 2021 |access-date=10 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516070132/www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/BioDisplay/Article/2236267/rear-admiral-george-wikoff/ |url=http://www.navy.mil/Leadership/Flag-Officer-Biographies/BioDisplay/Article/2236267/rear-admiral-george-wikoff/ |archive-date=16 May 2022 }}</ref> In January 2023 he was nominated for promotion to the grade of vice admiral and assignment as commander of United States Naval Forces Central Command, United States Fifth Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces.<ref name="USNI-2023" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/118th-congress/211 |title=PN211 — Rear Adm. George M. Wikoff — Navy |date=January 26, 2023 |website=United States Congress}}</ref> On 7 September 2023, when Kenneth Whitesell retired as the Navy's "Air Boss," Wikoff became acting commander of Naval Air Forces and the Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. His tenure lasted during a hold on his nomination and hundreds of other military nominations in the U.S. Senate by Senator Tommy Tuberville.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Geoff |last=Ziezulewicz |title=Navy gets new (acting) Air Boss |date=7 September 2023 |access-date=6 March 2026 |work=Navy Times |url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2023/09/07/navy-gets-new-acting-air-boss/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Aron |last=Montano |title=Commander, Naval Air Forces Holds Change of Charge |date=7 September 2023 |access-date=6 March 2026 |work=DVIDS |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/452922/commander-naval-air-forces-holds-change-charge }}</ref>

Wikoff assumed command of NAVCENT, the Fifth Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces in Manama, Bahrain, on 1 February 2024 from Brad Cooper.<ref name="CENTCOM" /> He presided over combat operations for more than a year, mainly against the Houthis in Yemen, amidst Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. This consisted of U.S. attacks inside Yemen during Operation Poseidon Archer from January 2024 to January 2025, and Operation Rough Rider in the spring of 2025. He was also in command of Navy ships involved in Operation Midnight Hammer during the Twelve-Day War with Iran in June 2025. He relinquished command to Curt Renshaw on 6 October 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Nicholas |last=Slayton |title=Admiral who led Red Sea fight picked to lead US Navy in Europe |date=19 September 2025 |access-date=6 March 2026 |work=Task and Purpose |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-5th-fleet-europe-wikoff/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Shannon |last=Renfroe |title=5th Fleet changes command after intense stretch of naval combat |date=6 October 2025 |access-date=6 March 2026 |work=Stars & Stripes |url=https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2025-10-06/renshaw-change-command-19325652.html }}</ref>

Wikoff assumed command of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples in Lago Patria, Italy, from Stuart B. Munsch on 19 November 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Change of Command ceremony at Allied Joint Force Command Naples |date=19 November 2025 |access-date=6 March 2025 |work=jfcnaples.nato.int |publisher=NATO |url=https://jfcnaples.nato.int/newsroom/news/news-archive/2025/change-of-command-ceremony-at-allied-joint-force-command-naples }}</ref>

==Awards and decorations== {| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |colspan="3"| 200px |- |colspan="3"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}22px22px |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=number|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}21px |{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}18px18px |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991–2016), 1st award.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}}18px18px18px18px |{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=NATO Medal ribbon (Non-Article 5).svg|width=106}} |- |colspan="3"|55px |- |colspan="3"|120px |- |colspan="3"|80px |}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |- |colspan="6"|Naval Aviator Badge |- |colspan="6"|Navy Distinguished Service Medal |- |colspan="2"|Defense Superior Service Medal |colspan="2"|Legion of Merit with three award stars |colspan="2"|Defense Meritorious Service Medal |- |colspan="2"|Air Medal with strike/flight numeral "4" device |colspan="2"|Meritorious Service Medal with two award stars |colspan="2"|Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two award stars |- |colspan="2"|Navy Unit Commendation ribbon |colspan="2"|Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award star |colspan="2"|Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters |- |colspan="2"|Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation |colspan="2"|Battle Effectiveness Award 2nd award |colspan="2"|National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star |- |colspan="2"|Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |colspan="2"|Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze service star |colspan="2"|Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze service star |- |colspan="2"|Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with three bronze service stars |colspan="2"|Armed Forces Service Medal |colspan="2"|Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |- |colspan="2"|Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with bronze service star |colspan="2"|Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze service star |colspan="2"|NATO Medal |- |colspan="6"|Command at Sea insignia |- |colspan="6"|Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge |- |colspan="6"|Allied Joint Force Command Naples Badge |}

==Dates of promotion== {| class="wikitable" |+ ! Rank !! Branch !! Date |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO1|75}} Ensign||rowspan=10|Navy ||1990<ref name="auto" /> |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO2|75}} Lieutenant junior grade|| |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO3|75}} Lieutenant|| |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO4|75}} Lieutenant commander||24 September 1999<ref>{{Cite web |title=PN551 — Navy |work=www.congress.gov |publisher=U.S. Congress |date=1999 |access-date=15 April 2026 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/106th-congress/551?hl=%22George+M.+Wikoff%22&s=1&r=7 }}</ref> |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO5|75}} Commander||29 July 2005<ref>{{Cite web |title=PN639-1 — Navy |work=www.congress.gov |publisher=U.S. Congress |date=2005 |access-date=15 April 2026 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/109th-congress/639/1?hl=%22George+M.+Wikoff%22&s=1&r=6 }}</ref> |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO6|75}} Captain||30 June 2011<ref>{{Cite web |title=PN627 — Navy |work=www.congress.gov |publisher=U.S. Congress |date=2011 |access-date=15 April 2026 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/112th-congress/627?hl=%22George+M.+Wikoff%22&s=1&r=5 }}</ref> |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO7|75}} Rear admiral (lower half)|| 26 April 2018<ref>{{Cite web |title=PN1735 — Navy |work=www.congress.gov |publisher=U.S. Congress |date=2018 |access-date=15 April 2026 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/115th-congress/1735?hl=%22George+M.+Wikoff%22&s=1&r=4 }}</ref> |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO8|75}} Rear admiral|| 25 March 2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=PN133 — Navy |work=www.congress.gov |publisher=U.S. Congress |date=2021 |access-date=15 April 2026 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/133?hl=%22George+M.+Wikoff%22&s=1&r=3 }}</ref> |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO9|75}} Vice admiral|| 5 December 2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=PN211 — Rear Adm. George M. Wikoff — Navy |work=www.congress.gov |publisher=U.S. Congress |date=2023 |access-date=15 April 2026 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/118th-congress/211?hl=%22George+M.+Wikoff%22&s=1&r=2 }}</ref> |- ||{{Dodseal|USNO10|75}} Admiral|| 19 September 2025<ref>{{Cite web |title=PN475 — Vice Adm. George M. Wikoff — Navy |work=www.congress.gov |publisher=U.S. Congress |date=2025 |access-date=15 April 2026 |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/119th-congress/475?hl=%22George+M.+Wikoff%22&s=1&r=1 }}</ref> |- |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{commons category-inline|George M. Wikoff}}

{{s-start}} {{s-mil}} {{s-bef|before=Sara A. Joyner}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander of Carrier Air Wing 3|years=2013–201?}} {{s-aft|after=???}} |- {{s-bef|before=Karl O. Thomas}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander of Carrier Strike Group 5|years=2019–2020}} {{s-aft|after=Will Pennington}} |- {{s-bef|before=William D. Byrne Jr.}} {{s-ttl|title=Vice Director of the Joint Staff|years=2021–2023}} {{s-aft|after=Michael L. Downs}} |- {{s-bef|before=Kenneth R. Whitesell}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander of Naval Air Forces and Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet {{small|Acting}}|years=2023–2024}} {{s-aft|after=Douglas C. Verissimo}} |- {{s-bef|before=Brad Cooper}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander of the United States Naval Forces Central Command, United States Fifth Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces|years=2024–2025}} {{s-aft|after=Curt Renshaw}} {{s-bef|before=Stuart B. Munsch}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples and United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa|years=2025–present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wikoff, George M.}} Category:1968 births Category:Living people Category:Military personnel from New Brunswick, New Jersey Category:Catholic University of America alumni Category:United States Naval Aviators Category:University of Arkansas alumni Category:United States Navy admirals Category:United States Navy personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:People of the Twelve-Day War