Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer

Navy: Sailors with COVID-19 Vaccination Don’t Have to Quarantine Before Deployment

Hospitalman William Lansing, from Las Vegas, administers a vaccine aboard amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2), on May 14, 2021. US Navy Photo

Immunized sailors will no longer face a 14-day quarantine before deploying to ensure they embark ships or fly in aircraft COVID-19 free, the Navy’s latest pandemic guidance released Monday said.

“With more than a year operating in the COVID environment, we have gained significant expertise” in mitigating and preventing the virus’ spread, Vice Adm....

https://news.usni.org/2021/05/24/navy-sailors-with-covid-19-vaccination-dont-have-to-quarantine-before-deployment

New U.S. 7th Fleet Commander Takes Charge

Vice Adm. Bill Merz delivers remarks to the audience during the change of command ceremony for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet at the Fleet Theater on board Yokosuka Naval Base on Sept. 12, 2019. US Navy Photo

Vice Adm. Bill Merz formally took command of U.S. 7thFleet on Thursday in a ceremony in Yokosuka, Japan.

Merz, formerly the deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems (OPNAV N9), relieved Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer. Sawyer had led 7th Fleet since shortly after 17 sailors died in a pair of...

https://news.usni.org/2019/09/12/new-7th-fleet-commander-takes-charge

50 Sailors from USS John S. McCain Honored for Actions During 2017 Collision

Admiral John Aquilino, left, Commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Vice Admiral Phillip Sawyer, right, Commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, pose for a photo with award recipients on of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) during an awards ceremony, July 10, 2019, at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. US Navy photo.

The Navy honored 50 sailors today for their efforts to save lives and save the ship after USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) collided with a merchant...

https://news.usni.org/2019/07/10/50-sailors-from-uss-john-s-mccain-honored-for-actions-during-2017-collision