U.S. Naval Commander Scott Stearney Passes

Vice Adm. Scott A. Stearney who served as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet was found deceased in his home in Bahrain on December 1.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said: “Scott Stearney was a decorated naval warrior. He was a devoted husband and father, and he was a good friend to all of us. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Bahraini Ministry of Interior are cooperating on the investigation, but at this time no foul play is suspected.” 

Scott Andrew Stearney (October 21, 1960 – December 1, 2018) was a native of Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics prior to commissioning in the U.S. Navy in October 1982. He subsequently entered flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in April 1984. He graduated from Navy Fighter Weapons School and held a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University.

Stearney served in numerous strike fighter squadrons flying the FA-18 Hornet. His fleet assignments included the Golden Warriors of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-87, the Knighthawks of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-136 and strike warfare officer for commander, Carrier Group 4 (CCG-4). He commanded the Wildcats of VFA-131 and Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). He served in Kabul, Afghanistan, as chief of staff of Joint Task Force 435 (JTF 435) and later Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435 (CJIATF 435).

Ashore, Stearney served as instructor and readiness officer at Navy Fighter Weapons School, aide-de-camp to the Chief of Naval Operations, deputy director J6 U.S. Joint Forces Command, executive assistant to deputy commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command and chief of staff, Strike Force Training Atlantic.

Stearney's flag assignments included commander, U.S. Transportation Command’s Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic, commander, Carrier Strike Group 4 (CCSG-4), commander, Navy Warfare Development Command, and director of operations, U.S. Central Command.

Stearney served as commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces from May 2018. Stearney was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal, as well as other commendations. He accumulated more than 4,500 mishap-free flight hours and over 1,000 carrier arrested landings.

Rear Adm. Paul Schlise, the deputy commander of 5th Fleet, has now assumed command.