Stephen Koehler

Stephen Thomas Koehler (born 15 April 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
Nickname(s)	Web
Born	(1964-04-15) 15 April 1964 (age 61) Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Branch	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

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 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, 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, 3 June 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 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

Naval Aviator's Badge
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal		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