Defense Secretary and a three-time Wash100 awardee Lloyd Austin has put forward Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, for the position of chief of naval operations, NBC News reported Tuesday.
Senior defense officials told the publication President Joe Biden has yet to sign Paparo’s nomination, which was sent to the White House a week ago.
Paparo was commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces before assuming command of U.S. Pacific Fleet in May 2021.
He served as executive assistant to commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command and to the 31st Chief of Naval Operations and as director of operations, J3, within U.S. Central Command.
He would succeed Adm. Mike Gilday, whose four-year term as CNO ends in the fall of 2023, if nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, according to a report by Politico.
