Timothy J. Keating

Admiral, U.S. Navy

Timothy J. Keating was born on 5 November 1949 in Dayton, OH. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1971. Following duty aboard USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852) in the western Pacific, he completed flight training in August 1973 and was designated as a Naval Aviator. He then served in VA-82, deploying twice to the Mediterranean Sea aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68).

In September 1978, he joined VA-122, NAS Lemoore, CA, and later served with Carrier Air Wing Fifteen as Staff Landing Signal Officer, deploying to the western Pacific/Indian Ocean aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63).

From May 1982 to July 1984, as Administrative Officer, Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer of VA-94, he deployed twice to the western Pacific aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65). His next assignment was Aide and Flag Lieutenant to the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command.

In May 1987, Keating assumed command of VFA-87 and deployed with CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) to the North Atlantic and to the Mediterranean. After his tour with VFA-87, he served as Head of the Aviation Junior Officer Assignments Branch of the Naval Military Personnel Command in Washington, DC. He next served as Deputy Commander, Carrier Air Wing Seventeen in January 1991, participating in combat operations in support of Operation Desert Storm from USS Saratoga (CV-60).

Keating then became a Chief of Naval Operations Fellow with the Strategic Studies Group in Newport, RI. Following duty with the Joint Task Force Southwest Asia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he deployed as Deputy Commander, Carrier Air Wing Nine aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68) to the Persian Gulf. He assumed command of CVW-9 in July 1993. In November 1994, Keating became Commander of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center at NAS Fallon, NE.

Keating returned to the Naval Military Personnel Command in September 1995 as Director, Aviation Officer Distribution Division. He served as the Deputy Director for Operations (Current Operations/J33), Operations Directorate, the Joint Staff, Washington, from August 1996 until June 1998. He assumed command of Carrier Group Five, home ported in Yokosuka, Japan, in June 1998. In September 2000, Keating reported to OPNAV in Washington as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Plans, Policy and Operations (N3/N5). In February 2002, he assumed command of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. Fifth Fleet. From 13 October 2003 to 21 October 2004, Keating served as the Director, Joint Staff.

On 1 January 2005, Keating was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral and served as Commander, U.S. Northern Command (CDRUSNORTHCOM) and Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command (CDRNORAD). In 2007 he served as Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (CDRUSPACOM) until 2009.

Admiral Keating retired from the Navy in October 2009.

Medals and Awards

Defense Distinguished Service Medal (4 Awards)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2 Awards)
Legion of Merit (4 Awards)
Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Badges

Naval Aviator Insignia

Flight Data

Admiral Keating accumulated over 5,000 flight hours and made 1,200 arrested landings during his naval career.