Dean Culora is a retired Navy captain and naval aviator with over 2500 flight hours. He has served in numerous operational billets including commanding officer of a helicopter maritime strike squadron (HSM-47), air boss on USS Peleliu (LHA-5) and executive officer then commanding officer of USS Boxer (LHD-4), an amphibious assault carrier. His staff tours include the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he helped shape and coordinate national and military policy during the groundwork initiatives to expand NATO in the mid-1990's and as flag secretary to the chief of naval education and training. He also served as both acting director and deputy director for Strategy and Policy on the Navy staff.