Executive Officer
Capt. Jonathan J. Faraco
Capt. Jonathan “BLAMO” Faraco, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, graduated and was commissioned from the United States Naval Academy in May 2003 and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in November 2005. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Quantitative Economics, as well as a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Faraco is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) Air Intercept Control course and the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (CAEWWS) Weapons and Tactics Instructor course.
Faraco’s operational assignments include tours with Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 123 attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) as a junior officer, USS Enterprise (CVN 65) as the Assistant Navigator (ANAV), and VAW-115 attached to CVW-5 aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) forward deployed to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, as a Department Head. As Commanding Officer of VAW-124, he transitioned the squadron to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft and prepared the “Bear Aces” for the first E-2D deployment on USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) maiden deployment. Faraco has deployed six times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and numerous international exercises in the Western Pacific.
Faraco’s shore assignments include tours with VAW-120, the VAW Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, Navy Personnel Command, PERS-43 (Aviation Officer Assignments) in Millington, Tennessee, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C. While assigned to VAW-120, he served as the E-2C Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) instructing FRS students on tactical employment and systems utilization. While serving as the Assistant Operations Officer (AOPS) at VAW-120, he was selected for the 2011 Navy and Marine Association Peer Leadership award. While assigned to PERS-43, he initially served as the VAW, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC), Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM), Training Squadron (VT) Strike, and Inter-service Personnel Exchange (PEP) Placement Officer and completed his tour at PERS-43 as the Assistant Captain Detailer. Faraco completed his joint assignment at the Joint Chiefs of Staff J8 Strategy, Analysis, and Gaming Division.
Faraco reported to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) as the Executive Officer in January 2026.
Faraco has flown numerous combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Strike/Flight Air Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), and Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) as well as other individual, campaign, and unit awards.