Richard A. LaBranche

Professor College of Maritime Operational Warfare

Capt., U.S. Navy, Retired

Biography

Professor LaBranche joined the faculty in 2013 and in 2014 became director of MAWS. He served as chairman of JMO from 2015 to 2016 and chairman of WGD from 2016 to 2021. His operational tours include commander, Carrier Air Wing 17 flying the F/A-18 C/E/F/G variants on CVN-70; commanding officer, Fighter Squadron 31 flying F-14Ds on CVN-71 and CVN-74; assigned to Fighter Squadron 11 flying F-14Ds on CVN-70 and F-14Bs on CVN 74; assigned to VA-196 flying the A-6Es on CVN-70; and assigned to VA-85 flying A-6Es on CV-66. He has nine operational deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, over 5,000 tactical flight hours and over 1,400 arrested landings. He was an instructor pilot and JSO qualified.

Contact Information

(401) 856-5841

Richard.LaBranche@usnwc.edu

Areas of Expertise

A2/AD
Air Warfare
Command and Control
Homeland Security
Joint Operations
JPME
Leadership
Military Planning
Operational Warfare
Wargaming

Professional Highlights

2016

Chairman, War Gaming Department

As Chairman of the War Gaming Department, guides 100+ civilian and military professors, and staff of diverse backgrounds and qualifications in the study of Maritime Warfare, through applied gaming, research, analysis, and education to prepare future maritime leaders, and help shape the future Navy.

2015

Chairman, Joint Military Operations Department (JMO)

Responsible for leading, directing and managing JMO’s 50+ professors, staff members and 570+ annual U.S. and International Students, in all matters pertaining to the implementation of the JMO curricula at the U.S. Naval War College.

2013

Director, Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS)

Responsible for leading, directing and managing professors, staff and students, in all matters pertaining to the MAWS curriculum. MAWS is the Navy’s sole source school which develops operational planners with the skills required to assess, plan, and execute combined, joint, and naval operations.

2010

Commander, Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN (CVW-17)

Commanded ten geographically dispersed carrier-based squadrons, 2,000+ personnel, over $5.6 Billion in aircraft and support assets, and an annual operating budget of $377.4 Million. Responsible for all carrier strike group offensive air combat operations, the safety of all personnel and equipment.

2008

Deputy Chairman, War Game Department, Naval War College

Responsible for leading and directing military and civilian professors and faculty in rigorous research and analysis to help define future Navy structure, concepts and policies. Developed advanced strategic and operational concepts for future employment of maritime, Joint and Multi-National Forces.

2006

Commander NORTHERN COMMAND/NORAD Liaison Officer to JOINT FORCES COMMAND

Commander’s representative to ensure the safe and rapid execution of life and property saving operations. Identified capabilities in anticipation of challenges in support to civil authorities or operations to deter, prevent, and defeat threats of aggression aimed at the U.S. and its territories.

2003

Commanding Officer, Fighter Squadron THIRTY-ONE

Directed all aspects of combat operations and readiness including: training, morale, safety, quality control, inventory and budget for 300+ personnel and $900M in aircraft and assets in the Navy’s last F-14 Tomcat Squadron.

Education

Ph.D., Touro University, (Anticipated 2018), (ABD) Business Administration

M.A., Naval War College, 2002, National Security and Strategic Studies

M.S., Boston University, 1990, Business Administration

B.S., Southern Illinois University, 1985, Aviation Management

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