James A. Aiken Jr.
Official portrait, 2021
Nickname(s)'lil Jimmy
Born1967 (age 55–56)
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1989–present
RankRear Admiral
Commands heldU.S. Naval Forces Southern Command
United States Fourth Fleet
Carrier Strike Group 3
Destroyer Squadron 60
USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93)
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (4)
Alma materPennsylvania State University (BS)
United States Naval War College (MSS)

James A. Aiken Jr. (born 1967)[1] is a United States Navy rear admiral and surface warfare officer who serves as the 11th commander of the United States Naval Forces Southern Command and United States Fourth Fleet since September 3, 2021.[2] He previously served as the commander of Carrier Strike Group 3 from April 30, 2020 to August 2021,[3] with command tours as commodore of Destroyer Squadron 60 from December 13, 2013 to August 3, 2015, and commanding officer of the USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) from April 18, 2007 to October 15, 2008.[4][5] He was promoted to his present rank on April 1, 2021.[6]

A native of Pittsburgh, Aiken earned his commission via the NROTC Program at Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor's degree in political science. He also earned a master's degree in strategic studies from the United States Naval War College.[7]

Awards and decorations

Aiken delivers remarks during the change of command ceremony for U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet, September 3, 2021.
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Surface Warfare Officer Pin
Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit with three award stars Meritorious Service Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four award stars Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two award stars Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Navy "E" Ribbon, 2nd award National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze service star Iraq Campaign Medal with bronze service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two bronze service stars
Command at Sea insignia
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

References

  1. ^ "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Reserve Officers on Active Duty". U.S. Government Printing Office. September 23, 1990 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Changes Command". DVIDS.
  3. ^ "UNITED STATES NAVY FLAG OFFICERS (PUBLIC) August 2021" (PDF).
  4. ^ https://www.c6f.navy.mil/article710centerDESRON-60-Change-of-Command[dead link]
  5. ^ "Change of command ceremony". DVIDS.
  6. ^ "UNITED STATES NAVY FLAG OFFICERS (PUBLIC) September 2021" (PDF).
  7. ^ "Rear Admiral James A. Aiken". www.navy.mil.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Navy.

Military offices Preceded byDavid A. Welch Commanding Officer of USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) 2007–2008 Succeeded byMichael A. McCartney Preceded byJohn M. Esposito Commodore of Destroyer Squadron 60 2013–2015 Succeeded byRichard J. Dromerhauser Preceded byFred I. Pyle Commander of Carrier Strike Group 3 2020–2021 Succeeded byJeffrey T. Anderson Preceded byDonald D. Gabrielson Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and United States Fourth Fleet 2021–present Incumbent


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