Naval history: Rear Admiral Michael K Mahon

Rear Admiral Mike Mahon is a 1979 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. His current assignment is Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Allied Maritime Component Command, Northwood, United Kingdom. Additionally, he is the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Representative, London, UK.

Rear Adm. Mahon’s first Flag Officer assignment was Director, DEEP BLUE on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C. from June 2004 until October 2005.

He commanded Destroyer Squadron Fifteen and deployed with USS Kitty Hawk Strike Group in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also commanded USS Laboon (DDG 58) earning the Battle Efficiency award in 1999.

For his first sea tour, Rear Adm. Mahon was assigned to the USS Dewey (DDG 45) where he served as Electronic Warfare Officer, Assistant CIC Officer and CIC Officer. In 1983, he reported to the Saudi Naval Expansion Program and served as an advisor to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

He returned to sea in 1986 in USS Gallery (FFG 26) as the Operations Officer. Gallery deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1987 and participated in Operation Earnest Will. His second department head tour was as the Operations Officer for COMDESRON 24. In early 1990, he reported to the OPNAV staff and served as the Joint Strategic Planning System Officer for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Plans, Policy and Operations (OP-06).

Rear Adm. Mahon was next assigned as the commissioning Executive Officer of USS Cape St. George (CG 71) in 1992. After commissioning Cape St. George won two Battle Efficiency awards and was selected as the first ship other than a battleship to ever win the Arizona Memorial Trophy.

From 1994 to 1996, Rear Adm. Mahon served as the Flag Secretary to CINCUSNAVEUR. In early 1996, he also served as Deputy Executive Assistant to the Commander of the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR) in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina. His joint assignment was as an Action Officer and Division Chief in the Joint Staff Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, Conventional Arms Control Division.

He has Master’s Degrees in Strategic Planning from the Naval Post-graduate School and National Security Strategy from the National War College, where he graduated with distinction.

His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with two gold stars), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with three gold stars), Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with gold star).

Source: US Navy

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