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John C. Aquilino

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John C. Aquilino
John C. Aquilino
source
NameJohn C. Aquilino
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
Serviceyears1984–2024
RankAdmiral
CommandsUnited States Indo-Pacific Command, United States Pacific Fleet, United States Fifth Fleet, United States Naval Forces Central Command, Carrier Strike Group 2, USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), Strike Fighter Squadron 146
BattlesGlobal War on Terrorism, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal (2), Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2), Defense Superior Service Medal (2), Legion of Merit (5), Bronze Star Medal

John C. Aquilino is a retired United States Navy admiral who served as the 26th commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command from 2021 to 2024. He previously commanded the United States Pacific Fleet and held key leadership roles in the Middle East and Persian Gulf regions. Aquilino is a naval aviator with extensive operational experience in carrier-based fighter aircraft and is recognized for his strategic leadership in addressing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

Early life and education

John C. Aquilino was born in New York City and grew up in Seaford, New York. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He later earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. His professional military education also includes completion of the Joint Forces Staff College and the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base.

Military career

Commissioned through the United States Naval Academy, Aquilino was designated a naval aviator in 1986. He flew the F-14 Tomcat and later transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet, serving in multiple fighter squadrons aboard aircraft carriers including the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). His early operational tours included deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf, and Western Pacific. He served as the commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 146 (the "Blue Diamonds") aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN-68), conducting combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Command assignments

Aquilino's flag officer commands reflect a career focused on high-stakes operational theaters. He commanded Carrier Strike Group 2 and the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) Strike Group, deploying to the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations. He served as the 51st commander of United States Naval Forces Central Command and United States Fifth Fleet, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, responsible for naval operations across the Middle East. Following this, he assumed command of the United States Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, overseeing the world's largest fleet command. His final assignment was as commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii, where he was the senior Department of Defense authority for the Indo-Pacific region, coordinating with allies like Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines.

Awards and decorations

Admiral Aquilino's personal awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one gold award star, and the Defense Superior Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster. He has also been awarded the Legion of Merit with four gold stars, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars. His service and campaign medals include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. He is authorized to wear the Naval Aviator Badge, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and various unit and service awards.

Personal life

Admiral Aquilino is married to Laura Aquilino; they have two children. Following his retirement from the United States Navy in April 2024, he has taken on roles in the private sector focused on strategic consulting and defense technology. He serves on the board of advisors for several organizations and is a frequent speaker on Indo-Pacific security issues at institutions like the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Heritage Foundation.

Category:United States Navy admirals Category:United States Naval Academy alumni Category:Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal