Vice Admiral Gerald R. Beaman

Vice Adm. Beaman, a native of Hammond, Ind., graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and was commissioned through the NROTC Program in 1974. He was designated a naval flight officer in April 1975.

Beaman flew in the F-4J Phantom with Fighter Squadron (VF) 121 before transitioning to the F-14A Tomcat in 1976. His sea assignments include VF-32 (1976-79), and VF-33 (1986-88), embarked aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS America (CV 66) in support of Operation El Dorado Canyon, and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). During Operation Desert Storm, he served as officer in charge of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) Detachment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and flew combat missions from the Persian Gulf. He commanded the VF-211 Fighting Checkmates (1995-96) aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68). He was the assistant chief of staff for operations for commander, Carrier Group 7 (1998-99), and he assumed command of Carrier Air Wing 2 (2000-01) aboard USS Constellation (CV 64) in support of Operation Southern Watch.

Beaman’s shore tours include flag lieutenant and aide to Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force (1979-81), VF-101 program manager for the squadron augmentation unit (1984-86), Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) where he served as maintenance officer, operations officer and executive officer (1988-92); U.S. Space Command, as chief, Global Engagement Division; and as commander, Space Control Center, Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center (1996-98). Beaman was selected as a CNO Strategic Studies Group (SSG) Fellow for SSG XXI (2001-02) and was chief of staff to commander, Naval Air Forces (2002-04). He holds a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College at Newport, R.I. (1992-93). Beaman served as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (1981-84).

Selected for flag rank in 2004, Beaman’s first flag assignment was as commander, Naval Network and Space Operations Command in Dahlgren, Va., and was then subsequently appointed as the director of operations, Naval Network Warfare Command (2005-06). He assumed command of Strike Force Training Pacific in June, 2006 (2006-08). His next assignment was deputy chief of staff operations, Allied Joint Forces Command-Naples, Italy beginning in January 2008 (2008-2009). In September 2009 (2009-2011), he reported to U.S. Fleet Forces Command as deputy chief of staff Global Force Management, Joint Operations and Fleet/Joint Training (N3/N5/N7).  In April 2011, he assumed command of U. S. 3rd Fleet, headquartered in San Diego.

Beaman has accumulated over 3,500 flight hours and 1,067 carrier landings. He wears the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (5), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Strike/Flight Air Medal (2), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign and service awards.