TOMS RIVER – Township native Sharif Calfee has been promoted to rear admiral (lower half) and has taken command of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, marking the latest milestone in a career that has spanned decades and several posts across the Asia-Pacific region.
Calfee, a 1992 graduate of Toms River East High School, said he was “honored and humbled” by both the promotion and the new assignment.
“I appreciate the opportunity to continue serving our Navy and our nation,” he said.
A surface warfare officer by training, Calfee previously led the guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell and later the guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh during forward-deployed tours in Japan. He said returning to the region feels like a natural next step.
“Having previously served in two overseas command assignments as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Japan, I’m thrilled to return to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Area of Responsibility in this assignment to work alongside our outstanding U.S. Navy sailors and civilians here in Korea,” he said.
Calfee earned his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1996 and later completed graduate programs at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and Princeton University. His mother and sister now reside in Hookset, New Jersey.
In addition to leading U.S. Naval Forces Korea, Calfee will serve as naval component commander for U.S. Forces Korea; naval component commander for the United Nations Command in Korea; and deputy naval component commander for the Combined U.S.–Republic of Korea Command.
CNFK’s mission centers on strengthening cooperation between the U.S. and Republic of Korea navies, improving combined readiness, and supporting stability throughout the region.
Calfee’s promotion comes as the Navy marks its 250th anniversary. Navy officials note that nearly all global trade moves by sea and that the security of undersea infrastructure, including internet cables, underscores the branch’s continued role in protecting U.S. economic and national security.
As he steps into his new position, Calfee joins thousands of sailors around the world who continue to carry out missions the Navy says are fundamental to safeguarding “the American way of life.”
