Karl Owen Thomas

01/06/2026

A powerful harbor tug (YTB) maneuvers alongside the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) as she is shifted from her tour pier to the shipyard. This carefully coordinated move marks the beginning of her preparation for towing to Long Beach, California, where the legendary Iowa-class battleship is scheduled to undergo reactivation and modernization at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard—ushering in a new chapter in her distinguished service history.

12/02/2025

NORFOLK, Va. — Adm. Karl Thomas assumed command of U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) during a ceremony aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) at Naval Station Norfolk, Dec. 1.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle presided over the ceremony.
“Admiral Thomas brings exceptional leadership experience and strategic vision to U.S. Fleet Forces Command at a critical time for our Navy,” said Caudle.
“His distinguished career spanning information warfare, intelligence operations, and fleet leadership makes him uniquely qualified to lead our forces in maintaining maritime superiority and readiness. I have complete confidence in his ability to guide Fleet Forces Command as we navigate an increasingly complex global security environment and ensure our sailors are trained, equipped, and ready to defend our nation’s interests worldwide.”
Also attending the ceremony was Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command, who served as a guest speaker.
“The readiness of United States Naval Forces – Northern Command is critical to the defense of our homeland, and their support to southern border efforts has been tremendous” said Guillot.
“Admiral Thomas’s experience will ensure continued seamless integration and cooperation between NAVNORTH and NORTHCOM, strengthening our ability to deter threats and respond effectively to any crisis.”
From the air to the sea and ashore, Thomas’ Navy career has taken him around the globe in a wide range of operational and leadership assignments.
“We are a global Navy - the world’s premier maritime force, protecting our homeland and forward deployed with the capability to project power across all domains of naval warfare,” said Thomas.
“I am honored to work alongside our dedicated Fleet Forces team to continue to enhance fleet readiness, force generation and employment.”
Prior to assuming command of USFFC, Thomas served as the deputy chief of naval operations for Information Warfare (N2/N6) and as the 69th Director of Naval Intelligence.
U.S. Fleet Forces Command is responsible for manning, training, equipping, and employing 138,000 active duty Sailors, reservists, and civilians; more than 120 ships and submarines; 1,500 aircraft; seven task forces; and five carrier strike groups. USFFC directs training and readiness across the maritime domain, prepares forces for worldwide deployment, and provides combat-ready naval forces to combatant commanders.

11/29/2025

Head of Bakamla RI Vice Admiral TNI Dr. Aan Kurnia received a working visit from the Commander of the United States (US) Navy 7th Fleet Vice Admiral Karl O. Thomas. Photo: Public Relations of Bakamla RI
The event ended with the delivery of Vice Admiral Thomas' testimony regarding IMIC. He said that IMIC has been operating well and can maximize technology to process various types of maritime data. In addition, he also emphasized that this visit is the beginning of strengthening cooperation between the US Navy and Bakamla RI.

11/29/2025

Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, and Rear Adm. Nichols Driz, commander, Philippine Fleet, both sign terms of reference for staff-to-staff talks in Cebu, Philippines, Oct. 11. Sama-Lumbas is a multilateral exercise. It includes forces from the Philippines, the United States, Australia, France, Japan, and the United Kingdom designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance naval interoperability.

11/29/2025

As part of the Joint Operations Command of the 'Indo-Pacific Endeavour 🇵🇭
Philippine Navy eyes stronger ties with US, Japan to boost capabilities
The Philippine Navy (PN) on Sunday expressed its commitment to work with the United States Navy (USN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense (JMSDF) as part of its efforts to further enhance its capabilities.
This came after the courtesy calls of the USN's 7th Fleet commander Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, and Japan Self Defense Fleet commander chief Vice Adm. Akira Saito at Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila on
Aside from Adaci, also present was the Philippine Fleet commander Rear Adm. Renato David.
"During the call, Vice Admiral Adaci and the three fleet commanders discussed how their navies may collaborate as partners on various activities, including capability development, training and subject matter exchanges that would be mutually beneficial to the three forces," PN spokesperson Capt. Benjo Negranza said in a statement.
He also said the PN chief also conveyed his appreciation for the visit of the US and Japanese navies.
Adaci also emphasized the PN's commitment to work with "like-minded navies in pursuit of cooperation, interoperability and strong multilateral relations.

11/29/2025

11/29/2025

Rear Adm. Karl O. Thomas, Commander of Task Force 70, engages with the dedicated crew of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) during a visit to the chief petty officer mess. This interaction underscores the strong leadership and camaraderie essential to the ship’s mission readiness. USS Chancellorsville, forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, plays a vital role in maintaining security, stability, and freedom of navigation throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The ship’s presence reflects the United States’ commitment to fostering regional partnerships and deterring aggression in an increasingly dynamic strategic environment.

11/29/2025

Vice Admiral Karl Owen Thomas
Life has thrown challenges my way, some too deep for words, but I’m still standing. And for that, I give all glory to God.
Military service is a path few truly understand. It asks for your strength, your time, and sometimes, your very life. Every single day is marked by sacrifice, not just mine, but that of every man and woman who wears the uniform. Together, we push beyond our limits, train with purpose, and fight with everything we have to defend our country and protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Strength doesn’t always come easy. But we find it, in our shared mission, in our brotherhood and sisterhood, and in our faith. We hold on to the hope that peace will come, and that every moment of hardship will have meaning.
Until that day, we carry on, with pride in our hearts and faith that never wavers.
Karl Owen Thomas
Karl Owen Thomas

11/29/2025

Vice Admiral Karl Owen Thomas, this world has been tough for many of us. I've faced challenges that words can't fully capture, but I'm still here, still standing, and for that, I owe everything to God. Serving in the military is far from easy. It takes your strength, your time, and at times, even your life. Every day is a sacrifice, not just for me, but for every service member who’s committed to this mission. Together, we push ourselves, train relentlessly, and fight with everything we’ve got, all in hopes of defending our nation and protecting innocent lives. Staying strong isn’t always simple, but we draw our resilience from our shared purpose, our unity, and our faith. We hold on to the belief that one day, peace will be ours and that the sacrifices we've made will be worth it. Until that day comes, we serve with pride and endure with unwavering faith.

11/29/2025

Vice Admiral Karl Owen Thomas, with solemn grace and unwavering pride, extends my hand in honor, bestowing awards upon his sailors, not merely as tokens, but as sacred acknowledgments of courage, discipline and devotion to duty.
Each medal, each commendation, carries the weight of silent sacrifices made beneath foreign skies and storm-laden seas. And in that moment of recognition, his voice, steady with gratitude, becomes a bridge between leadership and brotherhood.
With eyes that have witnessed both triumph and trial, I salutes not just the uniform, but the heart beneath it. For in honoring them, he honors the spirit of service itself a legacy that echoes far beyond the deck, into the soul of the fleet.

11/29/2025

Training, Mentoring, and Preparing the Future of Our Navy
It’s a privilege to share knowledge, experience, and guidance with the next generation of leaders. Our greatest strength lies in our people, their readiness, their discipline, and their ability to serve with honor and loyalty. Together, we carry forward a proud tradition of service, forged by those who came before us, and made strong by those who follow.