Admiral Samuel J. "Sam" Locklear III, USN (born October 28, 1954) is a United States Navy four-star admiral who currently serves as Commander, U.S. Pacific Command. He previously served as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe - U.S. Naval Forces Africa and NATO's Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples. Prior to that, he served as Director, Navy Staff from July 2009 to October 2010. He assumed his current assignment on 9 March 2012.