Rear Adm. Jonathan Townsend is a native of New Woodstock, New York. He was commissioned in 1995 through the U.S. Naval Academy and designated a naval aviator in 1997. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the College of Command and Staff at the Naval War College. He is also a 2023 alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI.

His sea duty tours include serving the “Red Lancers” of Patrol Squadron Ten (VP-10), where he deployed to Sigonella, Italy, and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, with detachments to Forward Operating Locations Manta, Ecuador; Comalapa, El Salvador; and Bahrain. He also served two tours, including Command of the “Broadarrows” of VP-62, with detachments to Italy, Bahrain and Japan.

Townsend’s shore duty tours include Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the Chief of Navy Reserve, Executive Director of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), and instructor pilot duty at VP-30 which is the Navy’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Fleet Replacement Squadron. As a staff officer, he was the Campaign Planning Chief for the U.S. Southern Command J5 and Special Assistant under the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. He also served as Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Forth Worth, and most recently, as Commanding Officer of Naval Support Activity South Potomac in Dahlgren, Virginia. He is currently serving as Commander, Navy Region Northwest.

His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal.

Last Updated: 8 August 2025