Captain Philip W. Vance Commanding Officer
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Captain Vance is a 1986 graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy. He served in USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53) 1987-1989 as Assistant Combat Information Center Officer and Main Propulsion Assistant, deploying to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean. He served as Engineer Officer in USS VICKSBURG (CG 69) 1991-1995; deploying to the Mediterranean Sea supporting Operations DENY FLIGHT, PROVIDE PROMISE, and SHARP GUARD in the Adriatic Sea. He also participated in Operation RESTORE DEMOCRACY in Haiti, and Cuban Rescue Operations in the Caribbean Sea. He served as Executive Officer in USS MITSCHER (DDG 57) 1999-2001 completing a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf.
Captain Vance was the commissioning Commanding Officer of USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS (DDG 95) 2004-2006. After commissioning, they conducted an extensive CSSQT, Final Contract Trials, post-delivery availability, and basic phase completion for deployment in 2006.
Captain Vance’s staff assignments include USNORTHCOM Liaison Officer to U.S. Fleet Forces Command 2008-2010; Operations and Plans Officer in Commander, Carrier Strike Group TWELVE and ENTERPRISE Strike Group 2006-2008, embarked in USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), completing two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf, and Western Pacific supporting Operations IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) and ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). He also served overseas on the staff of Commander, SIXTH Fleet and JFMCC Europe embarked in USS LA SALLE (AGF 3) 2001-2003 supporting OIF, OEF, and OAE. In addition, he served as Strike Operations Officer in Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group THREE and ABRAHAM LINCOLN Battle Group 1997-1999, embarked in USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72), completing deployment to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Gulf supporting Operation SOUTHERN WATCH (OSW).
Ashore, Captain Vance was an instructor at Surface Warfare Officers School Command in Newport, Rhode Island 1990-1991. He holds a Master of Science degree in Physical Oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California; is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College Associate Program, and Joint and Combined Warfighting School Norfolk, Virginia. He is qualified as a Joint Services Officer.
His personal military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
January 2011-Present: USS VELLA GULF (CG 72)
January-August 2012: Deployed Mediterranean Sea (OAS/OSS/OAE)
November 2008-September 2010: U.S. Northern Command
September-November 2008: Joint Forces Staff College (JPME II), Norfolk, VA
February 2006-July 2008: Commander, Carrier Strike Group TWELVE/ENTSG
July-December 2007: Deployed Arabian Gulf (OIF/OEF)
May-November 2006: Deployed Arabian Gulf and Western Pacific (OIF/OEF)
April 2004-February 2006: USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS (DDG 95)
November-December 2003: SWOSCOLCOM, Newport, RI
June 2001-October 2003: Commander, SIXTH Fleet/JFMCC Europe
October 1999-April 2001: USS MITSCHER (DDG 57)
January-April 2001: Deployed Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf
August 1997-March 1999: Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group THREE/ALBG
May-December 1998: Deployed Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf (OSW)
June 1995-June 1997: Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA
December 1991-May 1995: USS VICKSBURG (CG 69)
January-June 1994: Deployed Mediterranean Sea (OPP, OSG, ODF)
January 1990-April 1991: SWOSCOLCOM, Newport, RI
February 1987-December 1989 USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53)
March-September 1989: Deployed Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean