Landing on the deck of the U.S.S. George Washington in November 2014.
Born in Lansing 52 years ago, Michigan Rear Admiral Greg “Fence” Fenton was raised in Grand Ledge, Michigan, where he graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 1982. After that he graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and the United States Naval Postgraduate School with a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. Subsequently he also attended the United States Naval Test Pilot School, the Air Force Air War College, the Joint and Combined Arms Warfighting School and the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command.
Fenton’s 31-year career with the Navy has taken him all over the world. He flew combat missions over Iraq during Operation Desert Fox and Operation Iraqi Freedom and made more than 850 landings on 16 different aircraft carriers. From 2012 to 2015 Fenton commanded the USS George Washington — a 60,000-ton aircraft carrier that protected an expanse that includes the Indian and Pacific oceans, and has served as the director of operations and plans in the Chief of Naval Operations office at the Pentagon since.
This summer he will be taking over command of Naval Forces Japan and Navy Region Japan for the U.S. Navy.
He and his wife, Christine Fenton, will visit with students from his alma mater, Grand Ledge High School on June 2nd when he will address the 2017 graduating students at the Breslin Center.
Other highlights — at least for Detroit Tigers fans — include delivering the game ball to the mound prior to the Tigers game on June 24, 2016 at Comerica Park.
Sources :
Kevin Grasha, “Grand Ledge graduate commands aircraft carrier”, Lansing State Journal, December 15, 2014.
Rachel Greco, “Grand Ledge grad to take command of naval forces in Japan“, Lansing State Journal, March 20, 2017.