By Lt. Cmdr. Megan M. Shutka

NAVIFOR Public Affairs

U.S. Navy Capt. Bill Chase was promoted to rear admiral on July 6 at U.S. Naval Information Forces in Suffolk.

“Bill is able to fill shoes of anyone, anywhere he is stationed,” said Vice Adm. Nancy A. Norton, who presided as the promoting officer.

Chase, a native of Washington, Mo., is a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and holds a Master of Science degree from Carnegie Mellon University in information technology and a Federal Chief Information Officer certificate.

Chase was designated a naval aviator in 1993 and an information professional in 2005. His sea tours include Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light, where he deployed twice to the Arabian Gulf with USS Ingraham and HSL 49, where he deployed as officer in charge of the HSL detachment onboard USS Shilohuring Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Ashore, Chase served as Sikorsky SH-60B “Seahawk” Fleet Replacement Squadron instructor and tactical check pilot, operations officer for Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific, deputy assistant chief of staff for requirements, innovation and experimentation at Commander, U.S. Third Fleet and deputy director for command, control and cyber at U.S. Pacific Command.

Chase’s command tours include Task Force 1010, Naval Network Warfare Command and Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Guam. He served as information warfare commander with Carrier Strike Group Three with John C. Stennis Strike Group.

His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Medal. He is the recipient of the Commander, Naval Air Forces Leadership Award.

“There is a less than 2 percent chance ensigns make the flag ranks,” Norton continued. “We promote people from their already displayed potential for the future, and Chase has proven worthy of this rank. He is currently one of four Information Professional flag officers and 11th IP officer to ever make the flag rank.”

Chase was joined by his family in the Navy’s traditional promotion pinning and witnessed among current and former shipmates dating back to his first years serving in the U.S. Navy.

NAVIFOR’s mission is to provide combat-ready Information warfare forces to operational commanders, ashore and afloat, that are forward deployable, fully trained, properly manned, capably equipped, always ready, well-maintained and combat sustainable.