Rear Admiral John Saccomando is a native of Buffalo, New York. He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with honor and was commissioned in September 1994 via NROTC. He attended the Joint and Combined Warfare School and the National Defense University for his joint professional military education and completed executive education programs at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and with the Dale Carnegie Institute.

LT Saccomando first served as an F-14D pilot in the VF-213 "Blacklions" where he completed two extended combat deployments in the F-14D on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), flying more than 50 combat strikes in support of Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom. He returned to VF-101 as an F-14 flight instructor and demonstration pilot.

LT Saccomando was then selected to join the Blue Angels in 2003 as the right wing (#2) of the storied Blue Angel Diamond. While publicly representing the Navy and Marine Corps, he accumulated 1,000 hours in the F/A-18 Hornet flying airshows in over 72 cities in front of 20 million spectators.

LCDR Saccomando transitioned to the F/A-18F with the VFA-41 “Black Aces” and completed two extended combat deployments on USS Chester Nimitz (CVN 68) flying strikes in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. His achievements include numerous “Top Eleven Ball Flyer” awards, the Airwing’s “Top Hook” award, and VFA-41’s 2007 Pilot of the Year.  LCDR Saccomando transitioned to the Navy Reserve in 2008 and joined the VR-1 Starlifters flying the C-37B at Joint Base Andrews.

In 2012, Saccomando reported to the VR-56 Globemasters for his first command tour. Under his command, VR-56 received the 2014 Battle “E” and was also awarded the coveted 2014 Navy Reserve Squadron of the Year. Subsequent command tours include Training Airwing One Reserve Component Commander, NATO Allied Command Transformation det DC, Chief of Naval Forces Europe/Africa MPP det 413, and Commander, Naval Installations Command, Navy Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (NEPLO) Program Commander.

Rear Admiral Saccomando’s flag tours include Reserve Director of the Maritime Headquarters, US Pacific Fleet, and Deputy Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.

Last Updated: 2 December 2024