By Geoff Fein
In a move that surprised some in the Navy, the Pentagon yesterday reappointed Vice Adm. David Architzel to the rank of vice admiral and reassigned him as commander, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).
Architzel has been the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Navy, research, development and acquisition (RDA) since August 2007.
He will take over command of NAVAIR from Vice Adm. David Venlet, who is expected to retire from the Navy in the June 2010 timeframe.
With Architzel’s appointment to head up NAVAIR speculation as to who will move to the Navy’s acquisition shop has begun. The Pentagon has yet to nominate a replacement for Architzel.
Bowing to pressure from Congress, the Navy in 2007 nominated then-Rear Adm. Architzel for appointment to the grade of vice admiral and to be the new principal DASN RDA (Defense Daily, July 13, 2007). At the time, Architzel was program executive officer carriers.
Until Architzel’s nomination, it had been seven years since the last three-star flag officer served as principal deputy assistant secretary of the Navy RDA. The Navy was the last service to put a three-star flag officer into its acquisition shop, a capability lawmakers back in 2007 urged the Navy to pursue.
Then-ASN RDA Delores Etter told Defense Daily at the time that the appointment of Architzel “will strengthen our resources and support a stronger tie between the acquisition community and the rest of the uniformed Navy.”
In 2000, Vice Adm. John Lockard served at both the acquisition shop and as commander NAVAIR, according to the service. Vice Adm. William Bowes was the last full-time deputy assistant secretary for acquisition when he held that role from March 1995 to August 1996, according to the Navy.
It’s possible Architzel could remain as the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for RDA while running NAVAIR. Congress requires a three-star to assume the principal deputy role in RDA.