Rear Adm. Michael “Buzz” Donnelly is a native of Kent Island, Maryland. He is a 1989 graduate of Villanova University and was commissioned via the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. He is also a 2002 graduate of the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

As a naval flight officer, Donnelly made deployments flying the F-14A/B/D Tomcat and F/A-18F Super Hornet. He served as commanding officer for Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VFA-154); the last commanding officer of USS DENVER (LPD 9) forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan; commanding officer of USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan and commander of Task Force SEVEN ZERO / Carrier Strike Group FIVE permanently embarked onboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76).

Ashore, Donnelly served on the International Military Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, and two tours with the Air Warfare Directorate (N88/N98), OPNAV Staff, Pentagon, as Naval Aviation’s F/A-18 Requirements officer and as Aircraft Carrier Requirements branch head. He also served as the 37th commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea and Commander, Navy Region Korea. Donnelly assumed the duties of Director, Air Warfare (N98), OPNAV Staff, Pentagon on 4 August 2023.

Last Updated: 8 December 2023