Embassy News

U.S. Naval Forces Commanders Review Regional Security in Turkmenistan

PAS No 216
June 12, 2008

Ashgabat, June 12, 2008 – Vice Admiral Kevin J.Cosgriff, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT), and Rear Admiral William Gortney, designated NAVCENT Commander, are visiting Turkmenistan June 12-13 to meet with the Minister of Defense and the Chairman of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan.  During the meetings, they will discuss regional security and cooperation issues.                  

Vice Adm. Cosgriff was Director of the White House Situation Room and Director of Systems and Technical Planning for the National Security Council.  He served as Director for the Office of Program Appraisal in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy and was Director for Warfare Analysis Integration for the Chief of Naval Operations.  Most recently he was the Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Va.

Rear Adm. Gortney served as Chief of the Naval and Amphibious Liaison Element to the Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command, for Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He also served as Commander, Carrier Strike Group Ten, from July 2006 to May 2008.