Wesley Bannister

Associate Professor College of Maritime Operational Warfare

Capt., U.S. Navy, Retired

Biography

Professor Bannister is a retired Navy Captain with 31 and a half years of service and joined the Maritime Staff Operators Course staff in 2022. A 1990 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, his operational time includes multiple tours as an E-2C Hawkeye pilot, a tour as the Air Boss on USS ENTERPRISE, and a tour as the Maritime Operations Center Director and Fleet Operations Officer for US Seventh Fleet.

Contact Information

(401) 856-5816

Wesley.Bannister@usnwc.edu

Areas of Expertise

A2/AD
Air Warfare
Command and Control
Joint Operations
JPME
Leadership
Operational Warfare

Professional Highlights

2022

Associate Professor, U.S. Naval War College

Teaching operational art to personnel assigned to major naval staffs.

2015

US Seventh Fleet Maritime Operations Center Director/Fleet Operations Officer

2012

Air Boss, USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65)

Conducted two operational deployments in two years time earning two Yellow 'E's for excellence as an Air Department.

2008

Commanding Officer

Took command of the Tigertails of VAW-125 leading them though a difficult time of little operational focus as a squadron.

Education

M.A., U.S. Naval War College, 2004, National Security & Strategic Studies

M.A., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 1999, Business Administration

B.S., U.S. Naval Academy, 1990, General Engineering

Awards and Decorations

Defense Superior Service Medal

Legion of Merit
Two Time Recipient

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal
Two Time Recipient

Strike Flight Air Medal
Four Time Recipient

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Five Time Recipient

Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Four Time Recipient

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