CDR Paul S. Duenas

DEPUTY COMMANDER, NAVAL SURFACE GROUP WESTERN PACIFIC (CNSGWP)

04 July 2023 Commander Paul Sablan Duenas, a native of Guam, graduated from the US Naval Academy in 2003. His division officer tours were aboard USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Ramage (DDG 61). Additionally, he served an individual augmentee (IA) tour with Joint Counter-Radio Controlled IED Electronic Warfare Composite Squadron (JCCS) ONE in Baghdad, Iraq where he was assigned as an Electronic Warfare Officer to the U.S. Army 440th Signal Battalion, 86th Signal Battalion, and the Multi-National Corps-Iraq Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT). His department head tour was as engineer officer aboard USS O'Kane (DDG 77).

Selected for early command, he completed his first executive officer tour aboard MCM Crew Fearless embarked on USS Pioneer (MCM 9). He then served as executive officer aboard USS Devastator (MCM 6) and fleeted up to take command in February 2015. His next assignment was as the MK VI Patrol Boat Maintenance and Operations Team (MOST) officer-in-charge at Coastal Riverine Group ONE Detachment Guam. His most recent afloat command was as executive officer of USS Lake Champlain (CG 57). Ashore, he served as a company officer as part of the Naval Academy's Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) program. He holds a master of professional studies degree in leadership, education, and development from the University of Maryland as well as a master of arts degree in national security studies from the Naval War College.

His personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Combat Action Badge, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal among other campaign and service awards.