Deputy Commander U.S. Strategic Command Retires after 35 years in the Navy

The U.S. Strategic Command honored retiring deputy commander Vice Adm. Van Mauney and his 35 years of service during a ceremony Thursday, October 28 Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

General Kevin P. Chilton, USSTRATCOM commander hosted the ceremony and said Admiral Mauney made a tremendous mark on the command over the past three years, calling him the perfect teammate and the ultimate long-ball hitter.

"It's made my job as commander certainly more rewarding to know that I always had a superb deputy who steps up to the plate and consistently drives runners home," General Chilton said using a baseball metaphor.

VADM Carl V. Mauney, deputy commander, U.S. Strategic Command recieves honors and is piped ashore during his retirement ceremony, held 28 Oct.

Taking over as deputy commander in October 2007, Admiral Mauney tackled several major challenges including the successful intercept of a failing satellite during Operation Burnt Frost, according to General Chilton. Additionally, he made significant input to major policy reviews -- the Quadrennial Defense Review, Nuclear Posture Review, Ballistic Missile Defense Review and the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

"His steady hand on the tiller was there to help us navigate through Operation Buckshot Yankee, probably the most severe cyber intrusion we've ever experienced in the Department of Defense. . .and successfully countered it," General Chilton said. "The stand-up of USCYBERCOM, (U.S. Cyber Command) which provides a single focal point for all DoD defensive and offensive operations in cyberspace, was shaped and guided by his over watch. "

General Chilton credited Admiral Mauney with successfully re-invigorating the command's focus on nuclear deterrence, and in doing so brought order to how the command accomplishes its missions.

"He led requirement development for all of the combatant commands around the world that depend every day on support from US Strategic Command to do their missions. But above all, in every situation he was a bridge-builder," Chilton said before presenting Admiral Mauney with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal.

A career submarine officer, Admiral Mauney graduated with honors and earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1975. He also has a Masters of Business Administration from Chaminade University of Honolulu and is a graduate of the Navy Executive Business Program from the University of North Carolina. During his career, Admiral Mauney commanded five times - the USS L. Mendel Rivers (SSN 686), Submarine Squadron FOUR, Task Force 69, Submarine Group EIGHT, and Allied Submarine Naval Forces South. He held several staff assignments including serving on the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board, Submarine Force Pacific Fleet Staff and as Chief of Staff for U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. Additionally, he was the executive assistant to the Commander, U.S. Central Command during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

During the ceremony, guest speaker, Admiral Jon Greenert, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, presented Admiral Mauney's wife Debbie Mauney with the Distinguished Public Service Medal. He praised her three decades of public service and contributions to myriad of military and civilian organizations.

"She is an extraordinary leader. Someone who has served throughout the world and left a legacy of excellence at every duty station," said Admiral Greenert. "She's a mentor - someone who is compassionate, loyal, patient and someone we all admire and would really like to call our good friend. "

Admiral Greenert said Admiral Mauney's legacy of would endure long after he retires.

"You made every command better. You served with distinction and honor. You should take great pride in your accomplishments," Admiral Greenert said.

"It has been a privilege and honor to serve with the professional men and women of US Strategic Command who every day carry out missions of vital importance to our nation's defense. The community here provides amazing support to the Offutt team, and we appreciate that support every day," Admiral Mauney said. "Debby and I have thoroughly enjoyed our three years here in Omaha and Bellevue and couldn't have asked for a more fulfilling assignment. "

Vice Adm. Cecil D. Haney assumes the position of Deputy Commander, U.S. Strategic Command. Admiral Haney comes to USSTRATCOM from serving as director, director, Naval Warfare Integration Group on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.