CDR Alexander C Turner

Executive Officer, Afloat Training Group Western Pacific (ATGWP)

01 January 2000 CDR Alex Turner, a native of Peoria, Illinois, earned his commission through the United States Naval Academy in 2011. He later earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School.

His previous sea assignments include service as the Combat Information Center Officer aboard USS ROBERT SMALLS (CG 62), Force Protection Officer on USS NEW ORLEANS (LPD 18), Operations Officer and Combat Systems Officer on 
USS CHAFEE (DDG 90), and Executive Officer on USS DEVASTATOR (MCM 6).

Ashore, CDR Turner returned to the Naval Academy for two years, serving in the Operations Department in support of the Brigade of Midshipmen. He subsequently attended the Naval Postgraduate School.

He commanded USS DEVASTATOR (MCM 6) in Forward Deployed Naval Forces–Central (FDNF-C), where the ship was awarded the 2024 Battle “E” Award, the Unit Tactics Award, and numerous other excellence awards. He served as the final Commanding Officer of USS DEVASTATOR and the last active-duty Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship in Bahrain prior to its decommissioning in September 2025.

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards); Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; and various unit and service awards. He was also named Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific Surface Warfare Officer of the Year for 2022