Stephen Koehler
Nickname(s)Web
Born (1964-04-15) April 15, 1964
Norfolk, Virginia
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1986–present
RankVice Admiral
Commands heldUnited States Third Fleet
Carrier Strike Group 9
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
USS Bataan
VFA-143
Battles/warsGulf War
Iraq War
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (5)
Alma materJoint Forces Staff College
Naval War College (MNSA)
University of Colorado Boulder (BS)

Stephen Thomas "Web" Koehler (born April 15, 1964)[1] is a United States Navy vice admiral who serves as the director for strategy, plans, and policy of the Joint Staff. He previously served as the 31st Commander of the United States Third Fleet.[2][3][4][5]

Early life and education

Koehler was born in Norfolk, Virginia[1] and raised in San Diego, where he graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1982.[6] He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1986. Koehler holds a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and also graduated from the Joint Staff College and the Navy Nuclear Power Program.

Koehler was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) in 1986[7] and designated a naval aviator in March 1989. His command tours include the Pukin' Dogs of Fighter Squadron (VF/VFA) 143, USS Bataan (LHD-5), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), and Carrier Strike Group 9. Other seaborne assignments include tours in Fighter Squadron (VF) 211, VF-41 and executive officer of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). He was the Director of Operations of the United States Indo-Pacific Command from June 2018 to October 2020.

Koehler, right, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, and Vice Adm. Scott D. Conn cut a cake after their change of command ceremony on Naval Base Point Loma, June 3, 2021.

Koehler was originally slated to replace Andrew L. Lewis as commander of the United States Second Fleet and Joint Force Command Norfolk in March 2020; despite being confirmed by the Senate, he did not assume command.[8]

In April 2022, Koehler was nominated for assignment as director for strategy, plans, and policy of the Joint Staff and senior member of the Military Staff Committee of the United Nations.[7][9][10]

In July 2023, Koehler was nominated for promotion to admiral with assignment as commander of the United States Pacific Fleet.[11][12]

Awards and decorations

Bronze oak leaf cluster
Gold star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Naval Aviator's Badge
Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit with four gold award stars
Meritorious Service Medal with three award stars Air Medal with strike/flight numeral "2" device Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three award stars
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award star Joint Meritorious Unit Award Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars
Navy "E" Ribbon with three Battle E devices National Defense Service Medal with service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star Iraq Campaign Medal with two service stars Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with two service stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal with service star Humanitarian Service Medal
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one silver and one bronze service star Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon NATO Medal Ribbon (non-Article 5)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) Navy Expert Rifleman Medal Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
Command at Sea insignia

References

  1. 1 2 "Certificate of Birth". Births, 1864-2016. No. 23907. Richmond, Virginia: Virginia Department of Health. 1964.
  2. ↑ "Vice Admiral Stephen T. "Web" Koehler". U.S. Navy. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  3. ↑ "Koehler takes command of U.S. 3rd Fleet". U.S. Pacific Fleet. U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs. 2021-06-03. Retrieved 2021-06-05.
  4. ↑ "Rear Admiral Stephen T. "Web" Koehler". Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  5. ↑ "Stephen T. "Web" Koehler". Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  6. ↑ The Horizon. Vol. 8. San Diego, California: Mt. Carmel High School. 1982. p. 97.
  7. 1 2 LaGrone, Sam (April 26, 2022). "Franchetti Tapped for VCNO; 3rd Fleet Koehler to Joint Staff, Cheeseman to CNP". USNI News. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  8. ↑ "PN1678 — Rear Adm. Stephen T. Koehler — Navy". March 20, 2020. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  9. ↑ "Flag Officer Announcements". United States Department of Defense. April 26, 2022.
  10. ↑ "PN1985 — Vice Adm. Stephen T. Koehler — Navy". United States Congress. April 25, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Flag Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  12. ↑ "PN883 — Vice Adm. Stephen T. Koehler — Navy, 118th Congress (2023-2024)". U.S. Congress. 2023-07-25. Retrieved 2023-07-26.

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