Rear Admiral Ryan Mahelona is a native of Kāne’ohe, Hawai’i. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1995, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering and a commissioning as a Surface Warfare Officer.  He redesignated as an Information Professional Officer in 2013.  Rear Admiral Mahelona holds a Master of Science in Software Engineering, and a Master of Business Administration.  

Operationally, he served aboard USS Vandegrift (FFG-48) as the Anti-Submarine Warfare and Combat Information Center Division Officer, and later aboard USS Cowpens (CG-63) as Assistant Operations Officer Department Head. During both tours, he deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch.  Rear Admiral Mahelona served at the Commander, Pacific Fleet (CPF), Maritime Operations Center (MOC) Detachment (DET) 601 and the Fleet Command Center in support of the N3 and N6 directorates.  He subsequently supported the Commander, Third Fleet (C3F) Headquarters unit and Fleet Watch Center.  Both tours were in support of Operation Enduring Freedom/Noble Eagle.  

He served multiple tours supporting system engineering and acquisition programs at the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) formerly known as the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR). He established SPAWAR Fleet Readiness Directorate’s (FRD) System of System Operability Test (SOT) program in 2013, and later served as the NAVWAR Reserve Program Deputy Commander and as PEO C4I/ PMW 130 Special Project Principal Integration Program Manager. 

Rear Admiral Mahelona’s command tours include Navy Reserve Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, San Diego (NCTS SD), Navy Reserve Naval Information Warfare Systems Command Unit 301 and Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve Southwest.  His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medals, Navy Commendation Medals, and the Navy Achievement Medal.
 

Last Updated: 28 October 2024