Colorado Native, Captain Kelly Aeschbach, puts on First Star

Photo By Robert Fluegel | Offical portrait for RDML Kelly Aeschbach. (US Navy Photo by Robert Fluegel/ Released)  

SUFFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

04.07.2017

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Rafael Martie 

Naval Information Forces

Capt. Kelly A. Aeschbach of Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR) in Suffolk, Va., promoted to the rank of Rear Adm., April 7.

Aeschbach is a 1986 graduate of Ledyard High School, Conn. graduating from The George Washington University in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs. She received her commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, and was designated a Naval Intelligence Officer after completing the Naval Intelligence Officer Basic Course in Dam Neck, Va.

Commander, Naval Information Forces Rear Adm. Matthew J. Kohler presided at the event. “Kelly Aeschbach is the epitome of what the Navy and Information Warfare expects and needs for today’s warfighting requirements,” said Kohler. “A superb Naval Officer, Kelly has excelled in a wide variety of highly demanding Information Warfare assignments, and is more than ready to take her skills to the next level as a flag officer.”

After Kohler administered the oath of office to one of the Navy's newest rear admirals, Aeschbach’s father (a retired Navy Captain with 30 years of service as a submariner), mother and two sons helped place the star rank insignia on her collars.

“The best part of my career has been the opportunity to work with Sailors, officers and civilians in our Navy and have a positive influence on where their careers have gone and see people you have worked with go on to succeed,” said Aeschbach.

Aeschbach noted that a lot of her success is attributed to her husband Rob, a retired Marine who has supported her career more than 15 years and takes care of their two boys.

Aeschbach’s selection to flag rank is the culmination of 27 years of leadership experience at sea and ashore. She served at Patrol Squadron (VP) 6, Amphibious Squadron One and Carrier Strike Group Nine. She most recently served as Chief of Staff, Naval Information Forces.

Ashore she served at Joint Intelligence Center Pacific in Aiea, Hawaii, Tactical Training Group Pacific in San Diego, Naval Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn., U.S. Naval Forces Europe in London, U.S. Special Operation Command in Tampa, Fla., a military fellow at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in McLean, Va., and a member of the staff for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance in Washington, D.C.

For more information on NAVIFOR, visit the command's web site at www.navifor.navy.mil, our Navy News Web page at http://www.navy.mil/local/navifor or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/USNavyInformationDominanceForces.

• Date Taken: 04.07.2017
• Date Posted: 04.21.2017 10:44
• Story ID: 231132
• Location: SUFFOLK, VA, US