CDR Sameer Khanna

Past Commanding Officer, USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52)

15 June 2022 CDR Sameer Khanna is the Commanding Officer, USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52). He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Following graduation, he attended Officer Candidate School in Pensacola Florida. He earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School and completed a fellowship at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Afloat, CDR Khanna completed his division officer tours as the First Division Officer and Electronic Warfare Officer aboard USS ESSEX (LHD 2), and the Reactor Electrical Division Officer aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70). CDR Khanna’s department head tours include First Lieutenant aboard USS HARPERS FERRY (LSD 49), and Reactor Electrical Assistant on USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). He most recently served as Executive Officer onboard USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52). During his afloat tours CDR Khanna deployed to the Arabian Gulf, the Pacific, and South America in support of joint and combined operations.

Ashore, CDR Khanna served as a junior board member on the Nuclear Propulsion Examination Board, Atlantic, and as an Assistant Program Manager at PEO-EIS Washington D.C. Most recently CDR Khanna was on the staff of Marine Forces Command in Norfolk VA.

CDR Khanna’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with gold stars) and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with gold stars) as well as multiple unit and service awards.