(JTF-SWA) and Combined Air Operations Center Director at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, from November 2001 through March 2002 during Operation Enduring Freedom. During Operation Iraqi Freedom he was the USCENTCOM Deputy Combined Forces Air Component Commander (Deputy CFACC), again at Prince Sultan Air Base, from February to May 2003. VADM Nichols is a distinguished graduate of the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, and a graduate of the National Defense University's Joint and Combined Staff Officer School at the Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia. He completed Senior Executive programs at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu and the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, D.C. Awards and decorations VADM Nichols has over 5,000 flight hours in various models of Navy aircraft, including more than 4,000 hours in the A-6 Intruder. His personal awards include multiple awards of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal. He was a recipient of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Naval Flight Officer of the Year award as a Lieutenant Commander and the Senator Henry M. Jackson Memorial Leadership Award as a Commander. Naval Flight Officer insignia * Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal References Official Biography This work is in the public domain. External links Living people University of Tennessee alumni United States Army officers United States Naval Flight Officers Naval War College alumni Joint Forces Staff College alumni United States Navy admirals Recipients of the Legion of Merit Recipients of the Air Medal Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal 1962 births