Craig Clapperton

Craig A. Clapperton
Clapperton as a vice admiral, 2022
Nickname(s)Clap
Born1967 (age 56–57)
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1989–present
RankVice Admiral
CommandsUnited States Fleet Cyber Command
United States Tenth Fleet
Combined Joint Task Force, Cyber
Carrier Strike Group 12
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20)
VAQ-141
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (3)
Air Medal
Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership
Alma materPennsylvania State University (BS)
United States Naval War College (MA)

Craig A. "Clap" Clapperton (born 1967)[1] is a United States Navy vice admiral and naval flight officer who serves as the commander of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and the United States Tenth Fleet since August 4, 2022.[2] He most recently served as the commander of Combined Joint Task Force, Cyber from June 30, 2021, to June 7, 2022. He previously served as commander of Carrier Strike Group 12 from May 7, 2020, to June 17, 2021.

He was also deputy director of operations of United States Cyber Command, with command tours as commanding officer of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) from July 2015 to July 2017 and commanding officer of USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) from November 2012 to July 2014.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] He also commanded the Shadowhawks of VAQ-141, relinquishing command in September 2007 to Commander Michael D. McKenna.[14][15]

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Clapperton graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, commissioning via the NROTC program in 1989 and designated a naval flight officer in 1991. In 2008, he earned an M.A. degree in National Strategy and Security Studies from the United States Naval War College (with highest distinction) and was a member of the college's elite Stockdale group. He is also a distinguished graduate of the Navy Nuclear Power Training Command and completed nuclear power training in 2010. He was the 2007 recipient of the Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership.[15]

In March 2023, Clapperton was nominated for reappointment as vice admiral, with the addition of Navy Space Command to his assignment.[16][17]

  1. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1990. p. 185. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  2. ^ "United States Navy Flag Officers (Public), August 2022" (PDF). MyNavyHR. August 1, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  3. ^ "Flag Officer Assignments". U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
  4. ^ "Navy Announces New Flag Assignments; Including New Undersea Warfare Director". April 30, 2021.
  5. ^ "July 2021 Roster (Public)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  6. ^ "Carrier Strike Group 12 Holds Change of Command". United States Navy.
  7. ^ "Carrier Strike Group 12 Holds Change of Command". DVIDS.
  8. ^ "Carrier Strike Group 12 Holds Change of Command". DVIDS.
  9. ^ Hixenbaugh, Mike (July 21, 2015). "Aircraft carrier Roosevelt, strike group get new captains while deployed". pilotonline.com.
  10. ^ Jennewein, Chris (July 31, 2017). "Change of Command for San Diego-Based USS Theodore Roosevelt". Times of San Diego.
  11. ^ Prine, Carl (July 27, 2017). "The 'Big Stick' gets a new skipper". baltimoresun.com.
  12. ^ "Navy fires two more commanders". Stars and Stripes.
  13. ^ "USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC-20) HISTORY". Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  14. ^ "The Kintai Shimbun" (PDF). September 14, 2007. p. 3.
  15. ^ a b "Rear Admiral Craig Clapperton". www.navy.mil.
  16. ^ "PN492 — Vice Adm. Craig A. Clapperton — Navy, 118th Congress (2023-2024)". U.S. Congress. March 30, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  17. ^ "Flag Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. March 31, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.