CAPT James Harney

Past Commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5

16 August 2023 Captain James Harney is a native of Nicholasville, Kentucky and earned his commission in 1996 from the U.S. Naval Academy.

His assignments at sea include Chief of Staff, Carrier Strike Group 11, Commanding Officer of USS Port Royal (CG 73), Commanding Officer, Afloat Training Group (Mayport), Commanding and Executive Officer of USS Russell (DDG 59), commissioning Damage Control Assistant aboard USS Ross (DDG 71), CIC Officer aboard USS Peterson (DD 969), Operations Officer aboard USS McFaul (DDG 74), and Operations Officer aboard USS Chosin (CG 65). During these operational tours, he completed deployments and missions in support of Operations Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve.

Ashore, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School; Served as Surface Warfare Officer, Second Tour Department Head Detailer, Bureau of Naval Personnel, PERS-41; Maritime Operations Planner in the Standing Joint Force Headquarters, and Joint Operations Center Team Chief in the Operations Directorate (J3) of U.S. Africa Command.

Captain Harney’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (2), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal (3), the Navy Commendation Medal (3), the Navy Achievement Medal (3), and various service campaign and unit decorations.

Captain Harney holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master of Science in Computer Science (Modeling and Simulation focus) from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, and completed his Joint Service education at the Armed Forces Staff College.

He assumed command of Amphibious Squadron FIVE in June 2023.