Admiral Lost Confidence In Captain

The Navy announced Tuesday that Rear Admiral James W. Stevenson Jr., commander, Carrier Strike Group 12, relieved Captain Mark E. Mills of his command of Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1). Stevenson said the reason was "loss of confidence in the ability to command."

Mills commanded the wing since March 2004. Captain Greg Nosal has assumed command of CVW-1. Nosal previously served as deputy commander. The last deployment of CVW-1 was aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

Capt. Mark Mills, Commander Carrier Air Wing ONE

Captain Mills is a native of Cleveland, OH. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Heidelberg College in 1980. He was commissioned in Pensacola, FL following completion of AOCS in August 1980. He completed flight training in Corpus Christi, TX in the summer of 1982.

Following E-2C training in VAW-120, he reported to VAW-125 and completed two Mediterranean deployments onboard the USS Saratoga. He then reported to VAW-120 as a FRS instructor and served as Schedules Officer, NATOPS, and Phase Head LSO. He reported to CVW-7 as an Air Wing LSO in 1988. Flying in both the Hawkeye and Intruder he completed a two-year tour, which included work-ups and a deployment onboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. He then reported to the Naval War College in Newport, RI for advanced studies.

In the summer of 1991 Captain Mills to VAW-125 for his department head tour where he completed two deployments onboard the USS Saratoga. He then reported to VAW-120 where he served as a department head and subsequently as the Executive Officer. Selected for command, he reported to VAW-116 as the Executive Officer in the fall of 1995 and assumed command in the spring of 1997. While in command, the squadron completed work-ups and a deployment onboard the USS Constellation and two Counter Narcotics detachments.

Reporting to the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, DC, he completed a three-year tour in J-6, working C4I current operations in support of the Pacific and Korea theatres. He then reported to Commander Carrier Group 8 onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt where he served as the N3 and completed a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Following completion of refresher training in the Hawkeye and training in the Hornet he reported as Deputy Commander, Carrier Air Wing One in August 2002. In March 2004, he assumed his present duties as Commander, Carrier Air Wing One.

His personal awards include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal, as well as various other awards.

Rear Admiral James W. Stevenson, Jr., Commander, Carrier Strike Group Twelve

A native of Boston, MA, and raised in Virginia, Rear Adm. Stevenson graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned as an Ensign through the NROTC program in May 1976.

His sea tours include: Electronic Material and Warfare Officer, Anti Submarine Warfare Officer and First Lieutenant of USS Richard L. Page (FFG 5); Combat Systems Officer and Engineer Officer in USS Aubrey Fitch (FFG 34); Commanding Officer of USS Engage (MSO 433); Executive Officer of USS Spruance (DD 963); Commanding Officer of Spruance; Commander, Destroyer Squadron Fifteen; and Chief of Staff for Commander, Sixth Fleet.

Rear Adm. Stevenson’s primary shore assignments include: Staff Combat Systems Officer for Commander, Destroyer Squadron Eight; Chief Military Secretary to the Director for Logistics (J4) for the Joint Staff; Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations for Commander, Naval Forces Central Command/Fifth Fleet; and Executive Assistant for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/Commander, Allied Forces, Southern Europe. After being selected for flag rank, Rear Adm. Stevenson was assigned to Deputy, Chief of Naval Operations (Plans, Policy and Operations) (N3/N5) as the Director of Operations and Plans Division (N31). Rear Adm. Stevenson’s current assignment is as Commander, Carrier Strike Group Twelve.

He received a Master’s of Science degree in Information Systems from the Naval Post Graduate School.

Rear Adm. Stevenson’s personal decorations include: Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit (two Gold Stars); Defense Meritorious Service Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster); Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (one Gold Star); and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (one Gold Star).

FMI: www.news.navy.mil