Captain
Richard J. O’Hanlon, USN
Commanding Officer
USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Capt. O’Hanlon became the eighth commanding officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) on March 22, 2001.
A native of New York City, he is a 1976 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and was designated a Naval Aviator in September 1977.
Seagoing assignments include service in Attack Squadron Four Six onboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) flying the A-7E Corsair II and Strike Fighter Squadron One Three Two onboard USS Coral Sea (CV 43) flying the F/A-18 Hornet. Capt. O’Hanlon also served as the Staff Strike Operations Officer with Carrier Group Three aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). He commanded Strike Fighter Squadron Three Seven onboard USS John F. Kennedy with a follow-on assignment as USS Carl Vinson’s Executive Officer. Capt. O’Hanlon also commanded the fast combat support ship USS Sacramento (AOE 1) homeported at Bremerton, Washington. Under his leadership the ship completed a deployment to the Arabian Gulf and won the Battle Efficiency Award as well as the CNO Safety and Golden Anchor Awards.
Capt. O’Hanlon served ashore at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland conducting developmental and engineering test projects on the A-7 and the FA-18. He was also assigned as the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Legislative Affairs, Washington, D.C. Prior to reporting to USS Theodore Roosevelt, Capt. O’Hanlon served as Chief of Staff to Commander, Naval Air Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet.
He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (Class 81) and completed the rigorous nuclear power training program in 1995.
Capt. O’Hanlon has flown over 3,800 flight hours in 30 different military aircraft and has logged over 750 carrier-arrested landings. He is the recipient of two Legions of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals as well as numerous unit commendations and awards.