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Jeffrey W. Hughes
Born1966 (age 57–58)
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1988–present
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands held Navy Personnel Command
Expeditionary Strike Group 2
Navy Recruiting Command
Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific
HSL-48
Battles/wars Gulf War
Awards Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (4)
Alma mater Duke University (BS)
Naval War College (MA)

Jeffrey William Hughes [1] (born 1966) [2] is a United States Navy vice admiral who served as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development of the United States Navy from 2021 to 2024.

Early life

Hughes was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. [3] In 1988, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Duke University and then graduated with distinction with a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, with full Joint Professional Military Education credit. [3]

Naval career

In September 1989, Hughes was designated a naval aviator, flying MH-60R and SH-60B Seahawk helicopters. [3] He served as squadron and detachment officer with the Swamp Foxes of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 44 where he deployed on the USS Carr, the USS Elrod and the USS John Hancock in support of Strike Group deployments with the USS America and USS John F. Kennedy. [3]

In 1993, Hughes was named HSL-44 (now HSM-74) Pilot of the Year and was the co-recipient of the Commanding Officer's Helmsman Award. [3] Hughes served as the flag lieutenant to commander for Carrier Group 4 on all six East Coast aircraft carriers. [3] He then served as the executive officer and the 14th commanding officer of the Fighting Vipers of HSL-48 (now HSM-48). [3] In 2007, he received the Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, United States Atlantic Fleet Navy and Marine Association peer-selected leadership award. [3] He also served as the commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, United States Pacific Fleet. [3] In his first flag assignment, he served as the commander, Navy Recruiting Command. On July 21, 2017, he was appointed as commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 2. [3]

Jeff Hughes escorts President Donald Trump during his October 2017 visit to USS Kearsarge

On September 24, 2017, Hughes' command, Expeditionary Strike Group Kearsarge which included the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge and the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill along with the 2,400 marines of 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, deployed off the coast of Puerto Rico to coordinate naval relief efforts after Hurricane Maria. [4] [5] [6] [7] The ships had previously been prepositioned to the south of the island to assist in the recovery efforts once the hurricane had passed.

In March 2018, Hughes assumed command of Navy Personnel Command and became Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel. [8] On November 12, 2020, he was nominated for promotion to vice admiral [9] and assignment as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development. [10] On December 14, 2020, his nomination was confirmed by voice vote of the full United States Senate. [9] In May 2023, he was nominated for assignment as the deputy chief of staff for capability development of Allied Command Transformation. [11] [12]

Hughes' decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (four awards), and the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards). [3]

References

  1. ^ "FY-10 Active-Duty Navy Captain Line Selections". U.S. Navy. April 9, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  2. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1990. p. 161. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k United states Navy Biography: "Rear Admiral Jeffrey W. Hughes, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2 Archived 2017-09-30 at the Wayback Machine retrieved September 30, 2017
  4. ^ Washington Post: "Puerto Rico governor: ‘We still need some more help’ from Washington" by Ed O'Keefe September 24, 2017
  5. ^ Stars & Stripes: "Military conducting multiple operations to help Hurricane Maria-struck Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands" By Corey Dickstein September 25, 2017
  6. ^ CNN: "US Navy ship's response efforts in Puerto Rico" retrieved September 28, 2017
  7. ^ CBS News: "U.S. military beefs up its efforts in Puerto Rico as need for vital supplies grows" September 28, 2017
  8. ^ "RADM Jeff W. Hughes". U.S. Navy. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "PN2304 – Rear Adm. Jeffrey W. Hughes – Navy". U.S. Congress. 14 December 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  10. ^ "Flag Officer Announcement". U.S. Department of Defense. November 13, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  11. ^ "PN651 — Vice Adm. Jeffrey W. Hughes — Navy". U.S. Congress. May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  12. ^ "Flag Officer Announcement". U.S. Department of Defense. May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
Military offices
Preceded by Commander of the United States Navy Recruiting Command
2015–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the Expeditionary Strike Group 2
2017–2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the Navy Personnel Command
2018–2020
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development of the United States Navy
2021–2024
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Chief of Staff for Capability Development of the Allied Command Transformation
2024–present
Incumbent