Top Navy officer in Middle East picked for 4-star role heading Europe and Africa operations

This story was updated on Sept. 22.

A Navy admiral who has led the fleet in the Middle East as the U.S. defended against Houthi attacks in the Red Sea is slated to be the service’s highest-ranking officer in Europe and Africa.

The Senate on Friday confirmed Vice Adm. George Wikoff for promotion to admiral and assignment as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples, according to information at senate.gov.

Wikoff currently oversees U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain. He assumed the role in February 2024.

He is on course to assume NAVEUR-AF command from Adm. Stuart Munsch, who has held the position since June 2022.

Meanwhile, Rear Adm. Curt Renshaw will take over Wikoff’s role as commander of NAVCENT/U.S. 5th Fleet. He was nominated for the post in mid-June and confirmed by the Senate later that month.

Currently director of operations for U.S. Central Command out of MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, Renshaw will return to Bahrain, having previously served as deputy commander for NAVCENT.

As commander of NAVEUR-AF, Wikoff would oversee an area of responsibility grappling with Russian actions ranging from the ongoing war in Ukraine to expansion of operations in the High North and Arctic, an area the U.S. considers vital to national security.

Vice Adm. George Wikoff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet, was nominated for promotion to admiral and assignment as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples, the Pentagon said Sept. 5, 2025. (U.S. Navy)

In his current role, Wikoff also has led the multinational partnership Combined Maritime Forces, a drone and artificial intelligence task force and a Coast Guard unit focused on seizing illegal drugs and weapons, primarily smuggled out of Iran.

Before taking command of NAVCENT/5th Fleet, the New Jersey native was acting commander of Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

In a career that spans more than three decades, Wikoff also has served in fighter squadrons VF-102 and VF-154 aboard the aircraft carriers USS America and USS Kitty Hawk, respectively, according to his service biography.

Munsch’s next assignment is unknown. On Saturday, he was honored by Norway for his work in strengthening defense in the High North and Arctic.

Stars and Stripes reporter Lara Korte contributed to this report.