R. A. “Rocky” Rochford, CAPTAIN, US Navy

Captain Rochford, a native of Scituate, Massachusetts, attended the Massachusetts Maritime Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation in 1985. His initial tours included Main Propulsion Assistant in USS HARRY E. YARNELL (CG-17) followed by assignment as Executive Officer Naval Reserve Center Tampa, Florida where he was instrumental in hosting HMS Britannia on her historic visit to knight General Schwarzkopf. Captain Rochford then completed a series of Naval Reserve assignments including Assistant Joint Munitions Officer in the Logistics Directorate (J4) and as a Command Center Watch Officer (J3) at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) at MacDill AFB in Tampa. In March of 2001, he assumed duties as Branch Chief and Senior Watch Officer for the CENTCOM, Command Center. During OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM Captain Rochford served as a Team Chief in the Central Command Joint Operations Center at McDill AFB and then forward deployed to Camp Al Saliyah, Qatar to continue as a Team Chief during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM's (OIF) major combat operations. Captain Rochford then served as the Executive Officer, Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head, Maryland and later as the on-site project manager for the Joint Awareness Vital Enhancements and Linked Information Network (JAVELIN) Project at Patch Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany. In 2006, Captain Rochford assumed duties as a Crisis Action Team (CAT) Chief during the Lebanon Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO). In 2007, Captain Rochford reported for special assignment as the Deputy for Plans and Policy at Commander Submarine Forces U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. His most recent assignment was as the first Deputy Commander, Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Operations for Commander Task Force FIFTY-FOUR (CTF 54) – SEVENTY-FOUR (CTF 74) in Yokosuka, Japan from 2008 to 2010.It was following these high visibility assignments that Captain Rochford was augmented into the Regular Navy and permanently retained on active duty. Captain Rochford graduated from the Naval War College in 2011 with a Masters of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies, additionally attaining the distinction as a Gravely Warrior-Scholar. Captain Rochford’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal (four awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and numerous campaign medals.

(Last Updated 12 July 2011.)

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