Stephen Thomas Koehler (born April 15, 1964)[1] is a United States Navy admiral who serves as the commander of the United States Pacific Fleet. He previously served as the director for strategy, plans, and policy of the Joint Staff from 2022 to 2024 and as commander of the United States Third Fleet from 2021 to 2022.[2][3][4][5]
Stephen Koehler | |
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 | |
| Nickname(s) | Web |
| Born | April 15, 1964 Norfolk, Virginia |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1986–present |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | United States Pacific Fleet United States Third Fleet Carrier Strike Group 9 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) USS Bataan VFA-143 |
| Battles / wars | Gulf War Iraq War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (5) |
| Alma mater | Joint Forces Staff College Naval War College (MNSA) University of Colorado Boulder (BS) |
Early life and education
editKoehler was born in Norfolk, Virginia,[1] and raised in San Diego, where he graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1982.[6] He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1986. Koehler holds a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and also graduated from the Joint Staff College and the Navy Nuclear Power Program.
Naval career
editKoehler was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) in 1986[7] and designated a naval aviator in March 1989. His command tours include the Pukin' Dogs of Fighter Squadron (VF/VFA) 143, USS Bataan (LHD-5), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), and Carrier Strike Group 9. Other seaborne assignments include tours in Fighter Squadron (VF) 211, VF-41 and executive officer of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). He was the Director of Operations of the United States Indo-Pacific Command from June 2018 to October 2020.
Koehler was originally slated to replace Andrew L. Lewis as commander of the United States Second Fleet and Joint Force Command Norfolk in March 2020; despite being confirmed by the Senate, he did not assume command.[8]
In April 2022, Koehler was nominated for assignment as director for strategy, plans, and policy of the Joint Staff and senior member of the Military Staff Committee of the United Nations.[7][9][10]
In July 2023, Koehler was nominated for promotion to admiral with assignment as commander of the United States Pacific Fleet.[11][12]
Awards and decorations
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Certificate of Birth". Births, 1864-2016. No. 23907. Richmond, Virginia: Virginia Department of Health. 1964.
- ^ "Vice Admiral Stephen T. "Web" Koehler". U.S. Navy. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
- ^ "Koehler takes command of U.S. 3rd Fleet". U.S. Pacific Fleet. U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs. 2021-06-03. Retrieved 2021-06-05.
- ^ "Rear Admiral Stephen T. "Web" Koehler". Retrieved 2021-03-24.
- ^ "Stephen T. "Web" Koehler". Retrieved 2021-04-22.
- ^ The Horizon. Vol. 8. San Diego, California: Mt. Carmel High School. 1982. p. 97.
- ^ a b LaGrone, Sam (April 26, 2022). "Franchetti Tapped for VCNO; 3rd Fleet Koehler to Joint Staff, Cheeseman to CNP". USNI News. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "PN1678 — Rear Adm. Stephen T. Koehler — Navy". March 20, 2020. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
- ^ "Flag Officer Announcements". United States Department of Defense. April 26, 2022.
- ^ "PN1985 — Vice Adm. Stephen T. Koehler — Navy". United States Congress. April 25, 2022.
- ^ "Flag Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
- ^ "PN883 — Vice Adm. Stephen T. Koehler — Navy, 118th Congress (2023-2024)". U.S. Congress. 2023-07-25. Retrieved 2023-07-26.