NAVAL AIR FACILITY MISAWA, Japan — Navy Rear Adm. (lower half) Kenneth W. Deutsch has been nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral, according to a Defense Department news release.

Deutsch has commanded Patrol and Reconnaissance 5th/7th Fleet from Misawa since fall 2003, overseeing P-3 anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft squadrons in the Pacific, Asia and Middle East, among other duties.

In April, DOD announced that Rear Adm. Arthur J. Johnson Jr. will replace Deutsch in the job. Johnson now is U.S. Pacific Command representative, Guam/Commander, U.S. Naval Base Guam. Deutsch is being assigned as commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group, in Norfolk, Va.