Rear Admiral Robert P. Wright

Rear Admiral Wright, a native of Boston, was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Science from Framingham State College, and a master’s degree in Space Systems Operations from the Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, Calif. He was commissioned at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Fla., in February 1978 and designated a naval aviator in September 1979.

Wright reported directly to a fleet squadron, VFP-63, NAS Miramar, Calif., for RF-8G fleet training and deployment to the Persian Gulf aboard USS Independence (CV 62). In August 1984, he reported to VF-101, NAS Oceana, Va., for F-14 transition training. In March 1985 he reported to VF-102 for two deployments aboard USS America (CV 66) and one aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). He reported back to VF-101 in March 1987 for F-14 instructor duty and program development as the F-14 operational model manager. Wright left active service in March 1990 and affiliated with Reserve Fighter Squadron VF-1486 based at NAS Oceana.

In April 1992, he began his affiliation with the Space & Network Warfare Program (SNWP) and assumed reserve commands at Naval Space Command and U.S. Space Command. As a U.S. Space Command liaison officer (LNO), he served in every regional theater and covered the active duty Space LNO position at U.S. Southern Command for the last 14 months of his assignment. In October 2002, Wright reported as Reserve chief of staff for Naval Network Operations Command and was nominated as director SNWP in October 2003. As director, he guided Reserve Component mergers transforming SNWP from a primary mission focus of Space/ISR towards the sole Navy Reserve entity representing a broad network-centric warfare focus. His merger and alignment efforts resulted in a program comprising 750+ Reservists and 26 Reserve units supporting U.S. Strategic Command, Naval Network Warfare Command, and the National Reconnaissance Office.

In October 2005, Wright assumed command of U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) Joint Task Force (JTF) Det. 100 and provided oversight in mission alignment of four USFF JTF units providing operational support to three combatant commanders. Wright mobilized with USFF JTF unit in September 2006 and served as director Strategic Communication, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa.

Wright was selected for flag rank upon his return from Africa in February 2008 and reported to U.S. 2nd Fleet (C2F) as deputy commander. While at C2F, he provided flag oversight of the Navy Maritime Operations Center (MOC) Project Team in developing the concept and subsequently establishing a global network of MOCs. He also led a Reserve Component alignment of 300+ personnel which yielded a hybrid Navy Reserve model supporting the C2F Maritime Joint Task Force and the global MOCs.

In April 2010 he reported to USFF for his current assignment as Reserve deputy commander and chief of staff.