RDML Pat Hannifin

Past Commander, Carrier Strike Group FIVE (CSG 5)

05 June 2023 Rear Adm. Pat Hannifin is a native of San Diego, California. He was commissioned in 1991 after earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of San Diego. He is also a graduate of the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) and the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.

Hannifin flew the F/A-18C Hornet with Strike Fighter Squadron 27 (VFA-27) “Royal Maces” from USS Independence, and then again with VFA-81 “Sunliners” for both department head and executive officer/commanding officer tours from USS George Washington and USS Nimitz, transitioning to F/A-18E Superhornets while in Command. He served as executive officer of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75); commanding officer of USS Arlington (LPD-24) and commanding officer of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76).

Ashore, Hannifin served as legal officer for Fighter Squadron 126 (VF-126) “Bandits” of Naval Air Station Miramar and tested F/A-18 A-Fs and T-45s for the Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron in Patuxent River, Maryland. He served as the VFA readiness officer for Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet, the Joint Force Coordinator (JFC) division chief for the Joint Staff J3, and the Carrier Requirements division chief for OPNAV N98. Hannifin served as Joint Staff J5 Deputy Director for Political-Military affairs Asia from May 2021 to May 2023.

Hannifin assumed duties as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70/Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 in June 2023.

He is entitled to wear the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Air Medal and several other personal, unit and campaign awards. He has accumulated over 3000 flight hours in 33 different type aircraft.