Vice Admiral Bruce W. Clingan is a native of Lafayette, Ind., but was raised in Bellevue, Wash. He graduated from the University of Washington and holds a Masters of Science from the University of Southern California. He received his commission through the NROTC program in June 1977.

Designated a naval aviator in May 1979, Clingan flew F-14 Tomcats with Fighter Squadron 124, Fighter Squadron 114, and Fighter Squadron 211, making deployments aboard USS America (CV 66), USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), and USS Nimitz (CVN 68). He commanded Fighter Squadron 11, and after completing the nuclear power program, served as executive officer of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Subsequently, he commanded the 6th Fleet flagship USS LaSalle (AFG 3) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).

Ashore, Clingan served as an F-14 flight instructor at Fighter Squadron 124, where he helped Naval Air Systems Command and Grumman Aerospace Corporation develop the F-14D Super Tomcat as a member of the Aircrew Systems Advisory Panel.

Clingan’s first joint assignment was in Europe, as a member of the Operations and Readiness Branch, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, where he helped negotiate various North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)/Spanish Coordination Agreements.

After selection to flag rank, Clingan joined United States Central Command, serving as deputy director of Operations from April 2002 to May 2004 during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Clingan assumed command of Carrier Strike Group 3 / Carl Vinson Strike Group in June 2004 and served as CTF-50/152 during an extended deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005. Subsequently, he joined the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in September 2005 as deputy director, Air Warfare Division (N78B), followed by assignments as director, Air Warfare Division (N88) and director, Warfare Integration/Senior National Representative (N8F). Clingan began his tour of duty in August 2008 as commander, U.S. 6th Fleet; commander, Allied Joint Command Lisbon; commander, Striking and Support Forces NATO; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa; and Joint Forces Maritime Component Commander, Europe.

He relinquished command of Joint Command Lisbon in July 2009.

Clingan’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), the Legion of Merit (four awards), the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) and various service and campaign awards.