Vice Admiral Bill Gortney graduated from Elon College in North Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science in 1977. He entered the Navy as an aviation officer candidate, received his commission in the United States Naval Reserve in September 1977 and earned his wings of gold in December 1978.

U.S. Naval Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet / Combined Maritime Forces is Gortney’s third command tour in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, supporting Maritime Security Operations and combat operations for Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF). His first was Carrier Air Wing 7, onboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), in direct support of OEF in 2002. His second was Carrier Strike Group 10, onboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), in support of Maritime Security Operations and OIF from 2007-2008.

Gortney’s extensive experience in the CENTCOM area of operations includes serving on the Joint Staff, J-33 Joint Operations Department CENTCOM Division from 1998-1999, and tours supporting the violent peace of Operation Southern Watch from 2000-2001 as deputy for Current Operations, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia, and deploying as deputy commander, Carrier Air Wing 7, onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). He also served as chief, Naval and Amphibious Liaison Element to the Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command, for the opening months of OIF, followed as chief of staff for Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet from 2003-2004.

Additional command tours include Strike Fighter Squadron 15 (VFA-15), 1994-1995, onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), and VFA-106, the East Coast FA-18 Fleet Replacement Squadron, Naval Air Station (NAS) Cecil Field, Fla., 1996-1997. Fleet assignments include Attack Squadron 82 (VA-82), 1981-1984, onboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68); VFA-87, 1988-1990, onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt; executive officer, VFA-132, 1991-1992, onboard USS Forrestal (CV 59) and executive officer, VFA-15, 1992-1994, onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Shore assignments include VT-26, NAS Beeville, Texas, 1978-1980; VFA-125, NAS Lemoore, Calif., 1984-1988, and aide and flag lieutenant to the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare), Washington, 1990-1991. He is a 1996 graduate of the Naval War College, earning a Master of Arts in International Security Affairs. His first flag tour was as the deputy chief of staff for Global Force Management and Joint Operations, Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, 2004-2006.

Gortney has flown over 5360 mishap free flight hours and 1,265 carrier-arrested landings, primarily in the A-7E Corsair II and the FA-18 Hornet. He is authorized to wear the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Air Medal (three awards: Gold Numeral One, two Strike/Flight), Defense Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Sea Service Ribbon (8 awards) and the Overseas Service Ribbon.