Biden Appoints Adm. Lisa Franchetti as First Woman to Lead the Navy

U.S. Rear Admiral Matt Kawas (R), commander of the USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), speaks as U.S. Rear Adm. Lisa Franchetti (L), commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, looks on during a media tour on board at a South Korean naval port in the southeastern port city of Busan on March 14, 2015. Jung Yeon-Je/AFP via Getty Images

President Joe Biden unveiled his nomination of Adm. Lisa Franchetti to take the helm of the Navy in a shock move unexpected by Pentagon officials.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had tapped Adm. Samuel Paparo for the top job. He currently oversees the Navy’s operations in the Pacific and has significant experience dealing with the complexities of China’s growing influence.