Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker assumed responsibility of Naval Air Forces during a ceremony that took place Thursday aboard an aircraft carrier at Naval Air Station North Island in California.
He succeeds Vice Adm. David Buss, who retired from the U.S. Navy after a 36-year career, the branch said Thursday.
Shoemaker will lead the service’s aviation force of more than 100,000 personnel in the CNAF role.
He previously served as assistant commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic and the Navy Personnel Command for Career Management, as well as commanded the Strike Fighter Squadrons 105 and 106, Carrier Air Wing 17 and Carrier Strike Groups 3 and 9.
He graduated at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 and obtained a naval aviator designation in 1984.
