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Captain Puck Esposito
COMMODORE
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Captain Paul “Puck” Esposito is a native of Old Bethpage, New York and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and Management from Siena College. He was commissioned through Aviation Officer Candidate School in January 1987, and reported to Pensacola, Florida for flight training. He was designated a Naval Aviator in 1988.
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Captain Esposito then reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron ONE (HS-1) in Jacksonville, Florida for fleet replacement training in the SH-3H Sea King. Upon completion of his training at HS-1, he joined the fleet with HS-15 where he flew the SH-3H and twice deployed to the Mediterranean onboard USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) in support of Operations DESERT STORM and PROVIDE COMFORT.
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Following his initial sea tour, Captain Esposito reported to the Canadian Forces’ Maritime Helicopter Squadron 423 in Halifax, Nova Scotia as part of the Personnel Exchange Program (PEP). After completing flight training in the CH-124A, he participated in multiple North Atlantic deployments in the Royal Canadian Destroyer, HMCS FRASER. He also deployed to Somalia in HMCS PRESERVER, where he earned the esteemed Canadian Forces Somalia Medal for his actions during Operation DELIVERANCE.
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Completing his PEP tour in 1994, he was next assigned to HS-1 for instructor duty in the SH-3H and the SH-60. In 1996, he reported to Commander, Helicopter Antisubmarine Wing Atlantic Fleet (COMHSWINGLANT) for instructor duty, and became a plank owner of the newly established Weapons Training Unit. In 1998, Captain Esposito reported aboard USS NASSAU (LHA-4) as both Safety Officer and Security Officer, completing another Mediterranean deployment in support of operations in Kosovo.
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In March 2000, he was assigned to HS-3, and reported as Maintenance Officer. During this tour, he deployed to the Indian Ocean in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65).
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Following that tour, in February 2002, Captain Esposito reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, D.C. as Head Officer Promotion Planner (N131F). In April 2004, he returned to Jacksonville as the Chief Staff Officer for COMHSWINGLANT.
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In March 2005, Captain Esposito reported to HS-5 as Executive Officer, and was selected for immediate deployment as the Officer-in-Charge of a highly successful Expeditionary Maritime Interdiction Operation (EMIO) to the Philippines. During his tenure as Executive Officer, HS-5 earned the prestigious Battle “E” award for command achievement in operational excellence.
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As Commanding Officer of HS-5, he led an eight month deployment aboard USS EISENHOWER (CVN-69) in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. Under his command, HS-5 completed over 1,500 sorties and 5,000 hours of mishap-free flying. At the completion of his command tour, he reported to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces as the Executive Secretariat for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, earning a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy. He reported to Commander Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic, as the Deputy Commodore in May 2010.
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During his career, Captain Esposito has accumulated over 4,300 flight hours and his personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Medals (Individual Action/First Strike Flight), four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various international campaign, unit, and sea service related awards.
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