Craig Clapperton
Craig A. "Clap" Clapperton (born 1967) is a retired United States Navy vice admiral and Naval Flight Officer. He led U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and the United States Tenth Fleet from August 4, 2022, to October 10, 2025, and before that commanded Combined Joint Task Force, Cyber from June 2021 to June 2022. He also commanded Carrier Strike Group 12 from May 2020 to June 2021 and served as deputy director of operations for United States Cyber Command. His earlier command tours include the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt from 2015 to 2017 and the supply ship USS Mount Whitney from 2012 to 2014. He also led Electronic Attack Squadron 141, the Shadowhawks, relinquishing command in September 2007.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Clapperton earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, commissioned through the NROTC program in 1989, and became a Naval Flight Officer after flight training in 1991, flying the EA-6B Prowler. In 2008, he received a Master of Arts in National Strategy and Security Studies from the U.S. Naval War College with highest distinction as a member of the Stockdale group. He is a distinguished graduate of the Navy Nuclear Power Training Command, completing nuclear power training in 2010. He received the Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership in 2007. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (three awards), and the Air Medal.
In March 2023, Clapperton was nominated for reappointment as vice admiral, with Navy Space Command added to his duties.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 14:54 (CET).