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Command to get new strategy director

A U.S. Navy aviator will be the next director for strategy and policy at U.S. Joint Forces Command.

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By USJFCOM Public Affairs

(NORFOLK, Va. – Sept. 1, 2010) – The Secretary of the Navy announced yesterday that U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM)’s Strategy and Policy Directorate (J5) will welcome a new director.

Navy Capt. John C. Aquilino, U.S. Fleet Forces Command executive assistant to the commander, will replace Navy Rear Adm. Lawrence S. Rice.

As the J5 director, Aquilino will be responsible for developing USJFCOM’s strategy and policy to ensure it is within the National Military Strategy and other strategic frameworks.

Recently selected for the rank of rear admiral, Aquilino’s sea tours flying both the F-14 and various versions of the F/A-18 as executive officer, then commander of Fighter Squadron 11, deputy commander of Carrier Air Wing (CVW)  2, and commander of CVW-2. He also made several extended deployments in support of Operations Deny Flight, Deliberate Force, Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Ashore, Aquilino served as an adversary instructor pilot flying the A-4, F-5 and F-16N aircraft for Fighter Squadron 43, Atlantic Strike Weapons and Tactics School operations officer, aide to the vice chief of naval operations, special assistant for weapons systems and advanced development in the Office of Legislative Affairs for the Secretary of Defense, and Atlantic Fleet Naval Air Forces director of air wing readiness and training.

A native of Huntington, N.Y., Aquilino graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1984.  He subsequently entered flight training and earned his wings in August 1986.

Aquilino has more than 5,100 flight hours and 1,050 carrier-arrested landings.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Combat “V”), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal as well as several unit and campaign awards.