Who is she?
Nora Tyson is a three-star vice admiral in the United States Navy. She currently serves as commander of the U.S. Third Fleet, directing operations in the northern and eastern Pacific Ocean, making her the first woman to command a numbered ship fleet in the U.S. Navy. Since 2013, she has served as deputy commander of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Tyson holds a master’s degree from the Naval War College and a bachelor’s degree in English from Vanderbilt University.
Nora Tyson presents Indonesian sailors with command coins as a U.S. Navy rear admiral in 2009. With 33 years of service in the navy and counting, Tyson has acquired extensive maritime experience in the Asia-Pacific region. Source: Wikimedia, U.S. Government Work.
Why is she in the news?
Tyson commanded the combined task force at this year’s Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) — the world’s largest international naval exercise, held biennially in Honolulu, Hawaii. This year’s RIMPAC ran from June 30 to August 4. In the largest iteration of the exercise yet, the U.S. Pacific Fleet under Tyson’s command hosted 26 participating nations from around the Pacific region.
What can we expect from her?
Tyson brought to RIMPAC 2016 a wealth of logistical experiences and knowledge, having served in various types of missions – from disaster relief to military deployment – in both aviation squadrons and onboard ships. From her 33 years as a naval officer, she has built familiarity with the Asia-Pacific’s political and military situation, an understanding that is crucial in her post as commander of the Third Fleet.
Tyson is also widely respected for her diplomatic skills. In press remarks at the beginning of RIMPAC 2016, the vice admiral stressed the importance of inclusivity and relationship-building between nations involved in the exercises. As the U.S. Third Fleet’s role increases in the Asia-Pacific, Tyson can be counted on to uphold the principle of an international maritime security network built on trust and cooperation among its participants.
