Admiral Gary Roughead's Bio

Admiral Gary Roughead
Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet

Admiral Gary Roughead

Admiral Gary Roughead became the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet on July 8, 2005. He is responsible for the world’s largest combined fleet command, encompassing 102 million square miles and more than 190 ships and submarines, 1,400 aircraft, 191,000 Sailors and Marines and 30,000 civilians.

Adm. Roughead is a 1973 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a Surface Warfare Officer. His initial assignment was in the Weapons Department in USS Josephus Daniels. This was followed by duty as Executive Officer in the patrol gunboats USS Douglas and USS Tacoma, the former home ported in Naples, Italy. He was the commissioning Chief Engineer in USS O'Bannon and Executive Officer in USS Spruance.

Tours ashore include assignments as Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; the Surface Warfare Analyst at the Navy's Office of Program Appraisal; Administrative Aide to the Secretary of the Navy; Executive Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command; Commandant, United States Naval Academy; the Department of the Navy's Chief of Legislative Affairs; and most recently, Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command.

Adm. Roughead was the commissioning Commanding Officer of the Aegis destroyer USS Barry and upon assuming command of the Pearl Harbor based cruiser USS Port Royal, became the first naval officer to command both classes of Aegis ships. While he was in command, Port Royal was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation and received the Golden Anchor Award for excellence in retention and crew support programs. He was Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group Two and the George Washington Battle Group, deploying to the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea. His latest assignment afloat was as Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, Commander, NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic and Commander, Naval Forces North Fleet East in Norfolk, Va.

Adm. Roughead's awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit and service awards.