Rear Adm. Westendorff is a native of Paola, Kansas and a 1992 graduate of Kansas State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration focusing on corporate finance and commissioned in December 1992 after completing Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island and holds a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

Westendorff’s operational sea assignments include Fighter Squadron (VF) 103, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, he commanded VFA 25, and he commanded Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11.

His shore and staff assignments include instructor pilot at VFA 122, Lemoore, California; Deputy Division Chief for Training Plans and Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director of Global Operations, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; Aviation Program Analyst, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N80); Chief of Staff and Maritime Operations Center Director for Commander, Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, Kingdom of Bahrain; Chief of Staff for Commander, Naval Air Forces, San Diego, California and Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) Corpus Christi, Texas

Westendorff’s last assignment was Director, Fleet Integrated Readiness and Analysis, United States Fleet Forces Command. He reported as Commander, Carrier Strike Group 10 in May 2023.

His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, and other personal and unit awards. He has accumulated more than 3,900 flight hours and 900 carrier arrested landings while flying F-14 and F/A-18 aircraft.

Last Updated: 17 July 2023