Rear Adm. Philip Davidson is the director for Maritime Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

A surface warfare officer, Davidson has deployed across the globe in frigates, destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers. In his most recent fleet assignment, he commanded Carrier Strike Group Eight and led the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group on its 2010 combat deployment to the North Arabian Sea in support of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. His earlier service includes command of USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and USS Taylor (FFG 50), where he deployed and earned Battle Efficiency "E" awards in each.

Ashore, Davidson has also served in joint and interagency tours as a flag officer; he was the senior military advisor to the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) at the State Department in 2011, and the deputy director for Strategy and Policy in the Joint Staff/J-5 from 2007 to 2009. He served earlier in his career in policy, strategy and operations billets on multiple tours with the U.S. Pacific Fleet staff, the Navy staff and the Joint Staff, and as the Navy’s military aide to the vice president of the United States.

Davidson is from St. Louis. He is a 1982 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and a 1992 distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval War College. He has a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics.

His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V," a Superior Honor Award from the U.S. Department of State, and other personal, service, unit and campaign awards.