EXECUTIVE OFFICER: 

 LCDR  JOHN P.  THOMPSON,  USN

His at sea operational assignments include, Combat Information Center Officer on USS GUARDIAN (MCM 5), and Auxiliaries Officer on USS WARRIOR (MCM 10), both homeported in Sasebo, Japan, where he made several theater security patrols and conducted numerous exercises with mine counter-measure forces in the region, including the Republic of Korea Navy, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces. He served as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer on USS JASON DUNHAM (DDG 109) in Norfolk, VA, where he deployed and conducted counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean, European theater security cooperation operations in the Baltic and Black Seas, and was part of NATO OPERATION ACTIVE ENDEAVOR in the Mediterranean. As a Department Head, he served as the Weapons Officer on USS SAMPSON (DDG 102) in Everett, WA. Most recently he served as the Combat Systems Officer on USS NITZE (DDG 94), homeported in Norfolk VA, where he deployed and conducted maritime interdiction operations in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as regional security operations in the European and Middle Eastern theaters.

Lieutenant Commander Thompson served ashore as the Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer at TASK FORCE-54, FIFTH FLEET, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain; during this assignment, he spent time in the Horn-of-Africa and in the Red Sea conducting operations against Houthi fighters in Yemen.

He holds an M.A. in Global and International Studies with an emphasis in Interagency Studies from the University of Kansas where he was part of the U.S. Army Special Forces Cohort, and he is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, where he also completed the Indo-Pacific Regional Studies program. He is a distinguished graduate of Surface Warfare Officer School, Department Head Class 255.

Lieutenant Commander Thompson’s personal awards include, Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat “C” and three gold stars for subsequent awards), Navy Achievement Medal (with one gold star), Army Achievement Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster), and the Combat Action Ribbon, as well as numerous campaign and units awards.