Rear Adm. Stuart “Studa” Baker is a native of LaCrosse, Wisconsin .  He is a 1989 graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Paper Science and Engineering  and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program.  He is also a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he earned a Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies.

Designated a naval aviator in March of 1991, his operational tours include the “Vigilantes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, where he deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch aboard USS Constellation (CV 64).  In addition, he served as the strike operations officer with Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14), and returned to the Arabian Gulf onboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of operations in Iraq.  Following his Carrier Air Group Staff tour, Baker reported to the “Blue Diamonds” of VFA-146.  While attached to VFA-146 he completed an Arabian Gulf deployment with CVW-9 onboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom.

He previously commanded VFA-137 onboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and CVW-9 onboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

Ashore, Baker’s assignments include the “Outlaws” of Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific as a Strike Fighter Tactics instructor, Lemoore, California, and the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) Fallon, Nevada, where he served as the Topgun executive officer.  He also served on the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C., in the J-39 Special Technical Operations Directorate and as executive assistant for director for operations, J3.  At U.S. Fleet Forces Command, he served as the executive assistant to the commander.

As a flag officer, Baker served as director, Operations and Plans, for the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, N31.  He assumed duties as special assistant to Commander, Naval Air Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S .Pacific Fleet in June 2019 and was privileged to command the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, which consists of over 7,000 Sailors across the carrier air wing and eight ships, including USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), and Destroyer Squadron 23.

Last Updated: 1 February 2022