Navy Appoints New Naval Air Forces and NAVSEA Commanders

The United States Navy has announced a series of high-level appointments to top leadership positions, including the appointment of Rear Adm. Dan “Undra” Cheever as the next commander of Naval Air Forces. Cheever, who joined the Navy in 1988, is set to replace Vice Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, who has been serving as the “Airboss” since 2020.

The Appointments

Cheever, who currently serves as chief of staff for North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, has an impressive track record in the Navy. He previously served as the commander of Carrier Strike Group 4 and the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center in Fallon, Nevada, from 2017 to 2019. In addition, he was a flight instructor at the Navy Fighter Weapons School in Miramar, California, and the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center in Fallon, Nevada, from 1995 to 1998.

The Navy has also announced the appointment of Rear Adm. James P. Downey as the next commander of Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C. Downey, who has been serving as program executive officer for aircraft carriers since 2019, will replace Vice Adm. William Galinis, who became NAVSEA commander in 2020.

Downey has an extensive background in naval leadership, having previously served as commander of Navy Regional Maintenance Center and Naval Sea Systems Command’s deputy commander for surface warfare. His experience in overseeing the maintenance and repair of naval ships and submarines will be invaluable in his new role as the head of Naval Sea Systems Command.

In addition, Vice Adm. Daniel W. Dwyer has been appointed as deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development, N7, in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Dwyer, who is currently serving as commander of U.S. 2nd Fleet and commander,