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Stephen Koehler
Vice Adm. Stephen T. Koehler
Nickname Web
Born April 15, 1964(1964-04-15) (age 59)
Place of birth Norfolk, Virginia
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1986–present
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands held 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 Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (5)

Stephen Thomas "Web" Koehler (born April 15, 1964)[1] is a United States Navy vice admiral who serves as the director for strategy, plans, and policy of the Joint Staff. He previously served as the 31st Commander of the United States Third Fleet.[2][3][4][5]

Early life and education[]

Koehler 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[]

Koehler 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 Strike Fighter Squadron (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.

Commander, U.S

Koehler, right, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, and Vice Adm. Scott D. Conn cut a cake after their change of command ceremony on Naval Base Point Loma, June 3, 2021.

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 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]

Awards and decorations[]

Naval Aviator Badge
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon
Legion of Merit ribbon1 golden star1 golden star1 golden star1 golden star
Meritorious Service Medal ribbon1 golden star1 golden star1 golden star Air Medal ribbonAward numeral 2 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ribbon1 golden star1 golden star1 golden star
Gold star
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal ribbon
Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame) Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbonBronze-service-star-3d-vectorBronze-service-star-3d-vector
Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon, 3rd award
Bronze star
National Defense Service Medal ribbon
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon
Bronze star
Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991–2016)
Iraq Campaign Medal ribbonBronze-service-star-3d-vectorBronze-service-star-3d-vector Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal ribbonBronze-service-star-3d-vectorBronze-service-star-3d-vector
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon
Bronze star
Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon
Humanitarian Service Medal ribbon
Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment RibbonSilver-service-star-3dBronze-service-star-3d-vector Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon NATO Medal ribbon (Non-Article 5)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon U.S. Navy Expert Rifleman Ribbon United States Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device
Navy CaS
Naval Aviator's Badge
Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit with four gold award stars
Meritorious Service Medal with three award stars Air Medal with strike/flight numeral "2" device Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three award stars
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award star Joint Meritorious Unit Award Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars
Navy "E" Ribbon with three Battle E devices National Defense Service Medal with service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star Iraq Campaign Medal with two service stars Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with two service stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal with service star Humanitarian Service Medal
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one silver and one bronze service star Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon NATO Medal Ribbon (non-Article 5)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) Navy Expert Rifleman Medal Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
Command at Sea insignia

References[]

PD-icon This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Government.

Military offices
Preceded by
Samuel Howard
Commanding Officer of USS Bataan (LHD-5)
2010-2011
Succeeded by
Erik M. Ross
Preceded by
Marcus A. Hitchcock
Commanding Officer of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
2013-2015
Succeeded by
Paul C. Spedero Jr.
Preceded by
James S. Bynum
Commander of Carrier Strike Group 9
2017-2018
Succeeded by
Daniel W. Dwyer
Preceded by
Mark C. Montgomery
Director of Operations of the United States Indo-Pacific Command
2018–2020
Succeeded by
John F.G. Wade
Preceded by
Kenneth R. Whitesell
Deputy Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet
2020–2021
Succeeded by
Blake L. Converse
Preceded by
Scott D. Conn
Commander of the United States Third Fleet
2021–2022
Succeeded by
Michael E. Boyle
Preceded by
Lisa Franchetti
Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy of the Joint Staff
2022–present
Incumbent
All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Stephen Koehler and the edit history here.
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