The Senate has confirmed Vice Adm. James Malloy to lead U.S. 5th Fleet, replacing Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, who was found dead in his Bahrain home on Dec. 1, a congressional staffer told Task & Purpose on Thursday.
- Malloy will also be the new commander of U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command; and Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain.
- He arrived in Bahrain earlier this week on temporary assignment, said Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Day. He had been supporting acting 5th Fleet commander Rear Adm. Paul Schlise while waiting for the Senate to vote on his nomination.
- A 1986 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Malloy has extensive experience in the Middle East, including serving as commander of Destroyer Squadron 50; Middle East Force (CTF 55); and Coalition Task Group 152.1, according to his official biography. Since August, he has served as deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans, and strategy.
- Stearney’s death remains under investigation. Some media outlets have reported that he may have committed suicide, citing unnamed officials. So far, the Navy has declined to say anything public about the circumstances surrounding his death.
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