John C. Aquilino

John Christopher Aquilino[2] (born 1961)[3] is an admiral in the United States Navy, serving as the commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command since April 30, 2021.[4] He previously served as the commander of the United States Pacific Fleet[5] and before that, commander of the United States Fifth Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces.

John C. Aquilino
Birth nameJohn Christopher Aquilino
Nickname(s)Lung[1]
Born1961 (age 61–62)
Huntington, New York, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1984–present
RankAdmiral
Commands held
Battles/wars
Awards
Alma materUnited States Naval Academy (BS)
Aquilino relieves Adm. Philip S. Davidson as INDOPACOM commander on April 30, 2021.

Aquilino graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1984, earning a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He subsequently entered flight training and earned his wings in August 1986. Aquilino graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) and the Joint Forces Staff College, and completed Harvard Kennedy School's Executive Education Program in National and International Security.[6]

Aquilino's operational assignments include numerous fighter squadrons flying the F-14 A/B Tomcat and the F/A-18 C/E/F Hornet. His fleet assignments include the Ghost Riders of Fighter Squadron (VF) 142 and the Black Aces of VF-41. He commanded the Red Rippers of VF-11, Carrier Air Wing 2 and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2/George H.W. Bush Strike Group. He has made extended deployments in support of Operations Deny Flight, Deliberate Force, Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.[6]

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman meets with Aquilino in Honolulu in June 2021.

Aquilino's shore tour assignments include duties as an adversary instructor pilot flying the A-4, F-5 and F-16N aircraft for the Challengers of VF-43; operations officer of Strike Weapons and Tactics School, Atlantic; flag aide to the vice chief of naval operations; special assistant for weapons and advanced development in the Office of the Legislative Affairs for the Secretary of Defense; director of air wing readiness and training for Commander, Naval Air Forces, Atlantic Fleet; and executive assistant to the commander, United States Fleet Forces Command.[6]

Aquilino's flag assignments include director of strategy and policy (J5), United States Joint Forces Command; deputy director, joint force coordinator (J31), the Joint Staff; commander, CSG-2, director of maritime operations, United States Pacific Fleet (N04); deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy (N3/N5); and as commander, United States Naval Forces Central Command, United States 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces.[6]

Aquilino assumed duties as commander, United States Pacific Fleet, on May 17, 2018, the 63rd commander since the fleet's Pearl Harbor headquarters was established in February 1941.[7] He was relieved of the same duties on the morning of April 30, 2021, by Stephen T. Koehler before relieving Philip S. Davidson as commander of Indo-Pacific Command later that day.[4]

Awards and decorations
Naval Aviator insignia
Command at Sea insignia
United States Indo-Pacific Command Badge
Navy Distinguished Service Medal with two gold award stars
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with four award stars
Gold star
 Bronze Star Medal with award star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Gold star
 Meritorious Service Medal with award star
Air Medal with bronze Strike/Flight numeral "6"
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V and four award stars
Gold star
 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award star
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation
Bronze star
 Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze service star
Bronze star
 National Defense Service Medal with service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Bronze star
 Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one silver and one bronze service stars
The Khalifiyyeh Order of Bahrain, 1st class[8]
Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia, Military Division[9]
NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia
Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal

References
  1. "US Navy's Aquilino: Partnerships Needed for Gulf Maritime Superiority". U.S. Central Command. 11 Nov 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  2. "PN673 — Navy". U.S. Congress. 25 October 1993. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  3. Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. 1 October 1990. p. 97. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  4. "DVIDS Webcast - U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Pacific Fleet combined Change of Command Ceremony". DVIDS. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  5. U.S. Pacific Fleet conducts change of command Archived 2018-07-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 19 May 2018
  6. "Vice Admiral John C. Aquilino". US Navy. Retrieved 12 February 2018. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. "John C. Aquilino". US Navy. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  8. "U.S. 5th Fleet Holds Change of Command Ceremony". U.S. Central Command. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  9. 2020-S1 – Honorary Officer (AO) in the Military Division (27 April 2021)
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