Garland Wright
Encyclopedia
Garland "Gar" P. Wright is a Rear Admiral
in the United States Navy
and deputy chief, Navy Reserve. He is a 1977 graduate of the United States Naval Academy
where he was co-captain of Navy’s first National Championship Sailing team and named an intercollegiate “All American."
(NFO), he joined the Sea Control Squadron (VS) 38 “Red Griffins”, completing two Western Pacific deployments aboard USS Constellation (CV-64)
. His next assignment was with VS-41, where he served as a Fleet Readiness Squadron (FRS) instructor and Tactics Training Department Head, with concurrent duty as the Anti-submarine Warfare
Sea Control Wing Pacific (ASWWINGPAC) Tactical Development/Evaluation officer and AIREM/BGAREM exercise officer.
In 1986 he accepted a reserve commission
and was assigned to the VS-0294 "Moonlighters", serving sequentially as NFO NATOPS, Training officer, and Maintenance officer. He was reassigned to ASWWINGPAC 0194 as the FRS augment team Officer in Charge (OIC) when VS-0294 was disestablished in 1991.
Rear Adm. Wright’s Command tours included: Constellation 0294, Tactical Support Center 1294, Naval Air Station North Island
0194, Force Protection/Law Enforcement Physical Security Unit 0194, and Commander, Naval Air Force, United States Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRPAC) 1094. Non-command assignments included serving as Operations Officer for Joint Force Air Component Command (JFACC) 0194, and Operations Officer for Area Air Defense Command
Pacific (AADCPAC).
In 1998 he was selected to join an initial cadre of officers to launch the Navy Reserve Officer Leadership Course (OLC). From 1999 to 2002 he served as an adjunct instructor at the Command Leadership School, in Newport, Rhode Island
, and in 2000 he was appointed as force-wide director for Navy Reserve Leadership Training.
Rear Adm. Wright’s first flag assignment was with United States Third Fleet where he served as the Maritime Operations Center (MOC) Director, and Deputy for Maritime Homeland Defense (MHLD). In this capacity he advised the Commander on the training/certification of surge-ready forces, development of operational plans, and force employment/joint integration options. In August 2007 he was mobilized to Iraq
to fill the billet of Deputy Commander
, Task Force 134 (Detainee Operations), Multi-National Force Iraq (MNF-I). On June 6, 2008 he succeeded Major General MG Douglas M. Stone
to become Commander of Multi-national Force-Iraq, Task Force 134 (Detainee Operations). Wright served in this position until September 2009 when he was assigned as the deputy commander, Navy Region Southwest.
(2), Bronze Star
, Meritorious Service Medal
(3), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), and Navy Achievement Medal (2).
, Naval Postgraduate School
, National Defense University
, San Diego State University
, and Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government
.
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and deputy chief, Navy Reserve. He is a 1977 graduate of the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
where he was co-captain of Navy’s first National Championship Sailing team and named an intercollegiate “All American."
Military career
After designation as a Naval Flight OfficerNaval Flight Officer
A Naval Flight Officer is an aeronautically designated commissioned officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps that specializes in airborne weapons and sensor systems. NFOs are not pilots per se, but they may perform many "co-pilot" functions, depending on the type of aircraft...
(NFO), he joined the Sea Control Squadron (VS) 38 “Red Griffins”, completing two Western Pacific deployments aboard USS Constellation (CV-64)
USS Constellation (CV-64)
USS Constellation , a Kitty Hawk-class supercarrier, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the "new constellation of stars" on the flag of the United States and the only naval vessel ever authorized to display red, white, and blue designation numbers...
. His next assignment was with VS-41, where he served as a Fleet Readiness Squadron (FRS) instructor and Tactics Training Department Head, with concurrent duty as the Anti-submarine Warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
Sea Control Wing Pacific (ASWWINGPAC) Tactical Development/Evaluation officer and AIREM/BGAREM exercise officer.
In 1986 he accepted a reserve commission
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
and was assigned to the VS-0294 "Moonlighters", serving sequentially as NFO NATOPS, Training officer, and Maintenance officer. He was reassigned to ASWWINGPAC 0194 as the FRS augment team Officer in Charge (OIC) when VS-0294 was disestablished in 1991.
Rear Adm. Wright’s Command tours included: Constellation 0294, Tactical Support Center 1294, Naval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island
Naval Air Station North Island or NAS North Island is located at the north end of the Coronado peninsula on San Diego Bay and is the home port of several aircraft carriers of the United States Navy...
0194, Force Protection/Law Enforcement Physical Security Unit 0194, and Commander, Naval Air Force, United States Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRPAC) 1094. Non-command assignments included serving as Operations Officer for Joint Force Air Component Command (JFACC) 0194, and Operations Officer for Area Air Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1946 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the integrated air defense system of the Continental United States , exercise direct control of all active...
Pacific (AADCPAC).
In 1998 he was selected to join an initial cadre of officers to launch the Navy Reserve Officer Leadership Course (OLC). From 1999 to 2002 he served as an adjunct instructor at the Command Leadership School, in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, and in 2000 he was appointed as force-wide director for Navy Reserve Leadership Training.
Rear Adm. Wright’s first flag assignment was with United States Third Fleet where he served as the Maritime Operations Center (MOC) Director, and Deputy for Maritime Homeland Defense (MHLD). In this capacity he advised the Commander on the training/certification of surge-ready forces, development of operational plans, and force employment/joint integration options. In August 2007 he was mobilized to Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
to fill the billet of Deputy Commander
Deputy Commander
Deputy commander was a rank in the London Metropolitan Police which existed between 1946 and 1968.In 1946, the rank of chief constable, which was between superintendent and deputy assistant commissioner, was renamed deputy commander. At the same time, the rank of deputy assistant commissioner was...
, Task Force 134 (Detainee Operations), Multi-National Force Iraq (MNF-I). On June 6, 2008 he succeeded Major General MG Douglas M. Stone
Douglas M. Stone (general)
Douglas M. Stone is a Major General, United States Marine Forces Reserve, Retired. He recently relinquished the position of Deputy Commanding General, Detainee Operations, Multi-National Force-Iraq and Commander, Task Force 134, commanding all detention operations in at Camp Cropper, Camp Bucca...
to become Commander of Multi-national Force-Iraq, Task Force 134 (Detainee Operations). Wright served in this position until September 2009 when he was assigned as the deputy commander, Navy Region Southwest.
Awards and decorations
Rear Adm. Wright’s personal awards include the Legion of MeritLegion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(2), Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
(3), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), and Navy Achievement Medal (2).
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with two award stars
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation MedalCommendation MedalThe Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
with three award stars
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement MedalAchievement MedalThe Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...
with award star
Education
Wright holds an MBA in Finance and is a graduate of Executive and Reserve Component programs at the Naval War CollegeNaval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
, Naval Postgraduate School
Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
, National Defense University
National Defense University
The National Defense University is an institution of higher education funded by the United States Department of Defense, intended to facilitate high-level training, education, and the development of national security strategy. It is chartered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with Navy Vice Admiral...
, San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
, and Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
.
External links
- Rear Admiral Garland P. Wright, Jr. Deputy, Joint Forces Maritime Component Commander, U.S. THIRD Fleet