CAPT Jesus A. Rodriguez

About Captain Rodriguez

Captain Rodriguez, a native of El Paso, Texas, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. He earned his aviator wings in 1997 and completed fleet replacement training at Helicopter Combat Support Squadron THREE (HC-3) in San Diego, before being assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron FIVE (HC-5) in Yigo, Guam.

His first sea tour flying the CH-46 included deployments on the USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3) as Division Officer and USNS Flint (T-AE 32) where he served as detachment Assistant Officer-in-Charge.

In 2001, he reported as Flag Aide to Commander U.S. Naval Forces Marianas/U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) Regional Coordinator and PACOM representative for Guam, Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

After completing MH-60S Knighthawk training in 2004, Captain Rodriguez reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO EIGHT (HSC-28) and helped transition the squadron from CH-46 Flight Operations to MH-60S Flight Operations.

In 2006, Captain Rodriguez reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO TWO (HSC-22) and deployed aboard USS KEARSARGE (LHD-3) as Officer-in-Charge of HSC-22’s first detachment. He continued to serve as Operations and Maintenance Officer before transferring to the United States Naval War College in 2009. In 2013, he took command of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO SIX (HSC-26) and in 2014 he reported to FIFTH FLEET as the Expeditionary Helo Boss. From 2014 to 2016, he served as Directorate Coordinator for Combined Joint Operations from the Sea, a NATO Center of Excellence. In June of 2016, he served as the executive officer for Pre-Commissioning Unit Portland and took command of USS PORTLAND in September 2018. In December of 2019, he was the Chief Of Staff for Expeditionary Strike Group THREE before taking command of Amphibious Squadron FIVE in June of 2020.  He is currently serving as the Professor of Naval Science at the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Atlanta Consortium leading midshipmen at Georgia Tech and Morehouse.

Captain Rodriguez received a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and his awards include the Legion of Merit Medal(2), Navy Meritorious Service Medal (3), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2), and Navy Achievement Medal.