Rear Adm. Robert “Rooster” Loughran, a native of Point Pleasant, NJ, is a 1994 graduate of Villanova University and was commissioned through the Naval ROTC program. RDML Loughran completed Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I in residence at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, earning a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. He completed JPME Phase II at the National Defense University Joint Combined Warfighting School in Norfolk, VA.

Loughran served operationally in Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS George Washington (CVN 73), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), and VFA-25 aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Command assignments include VFA-151, deployed aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), VFA-147 deployed aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and CVW-17 deployed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

Shore and staff assignments include instructor pilot at VFA-125, the F/A-18 Fleet Replacement Squadron. He completed his joint tour with the Joint Staff J8 and served as Battle Director at the U.S. Air Forces Central Combined Air Operations Center. He served as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development (OPNAV N7), and Branch Head for Carrier Strike Aircraft and Weapons (OPNAV N98).

His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, six Air Medals, and other personal and unit awards. He has accumulated more than 3,900 flight hours and over 1,250 carrier arrested landings while flying F/A-18A-F, and EA-18G aircraft.

Last Updated: 22 May 2024