Captain, Naval Base Ventura County

Captain Chris Janke grew up in Burlington, Wisconsin and is a 1991 graduate from the United States Naval Academy. Following training as a Naval Flight Officer, he was assigned to Patrol Squadron FIVE (VP-5) at NAS Jacksonville, FL. He served in the Tactics, Operations and Maintenance departments in VP-5, and during this tour he completed deployments to Iceland, Puerto Rico, Panama, and Italy supporting Anti-Submarine and Counter-Narco operations and participated in Operation SHARP GUARD.

In August 1997, Captain Janke was selected for duty as Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Fleet Air Mediterranean/Task Force 67 in Naples, Italy, responsible for all installations and maritime patrol forces in the U.S. SIXTH Fleet. In June 1998 he continued his duties in Annapolis, MD upon the Admiral’s assignment as Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy.

Captain Janke returned to sea duty as Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) and while serving aboard Kennedy he deployed to the Arabian Gulf supporting Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in which he led the ship’s largest division (V-2) in the Air Department.

In August 2001, he reported to Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30) for duty as a Fleet Replacement NFO Instructor. Captain Janke served as Command Services Officer and Assistant Maintenance Officer at VP-30, in which he was charged with operating over 20 P-3’s in the Navy’s largest aviation squadron.

Captain Janke next reported to Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4) located in Kaneohe Bay, HI, serving as Training, and Operations Officer. At VP-4 he completed two deployments in the FIFTH and SEVENTH Fleet areas, including combat operations in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.

Upon completion of his Department Head tour, he was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Operations Directorate (J-3). Serving in the J-39 Reconnaissance Operations Division, he was responsible for the coordination of SecDef approval for deployment orders for DoD reconnaissance assets and charged with preparation of Sensitive Reconnaissance Operations mission packages for Presidential approval.

In July 2008 Captain Janke was selected for command of Scientific Development Squadron ONE (VXS-1) onboard NAS Patuxent River, MD. During his XO and CO tour, VXS-1 conducted critical technology development for the Navy and DoD utilizing the NP-3D, RC-12, Scan Eagle UAV, and the Navy’s only airship the MZ-3A. Most notably VXS-1 conducted Colombia survey operations, POW/MIA recovery operations in Iraq and Counter-IED technology development in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and NEW DAWN.

Captain Janke next reported to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Resources and Requirements (N8) in Manama, Bahrain. He was responsible for conveying the Commander’s warfighter requirements to conduct maritime operations and he coordinated with OPNAV and U.S. Fleet Forces to rapidly field new capabilities and set budgetary priority recommendations.

In May of 2012 Captain Janke assumed duties as Chief Staff Officer for Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11 in Jacksonville, FL in which he directing a staff of 350 personnel conducting Man, Train and Equip tasks for eight P-3, P-8 and MQ-4C squadrons encompassing 2700 personnel. His efforts were instrumental to the successful transition to the P-8A Poseidon and introduction of the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft.

Captain Janke assumed the duties as the Commanding Officer of Naval Base Ventura County, California in March of 2015.

Captain Janke is married to the former Trish Vess of Orange Park, Florida. They have two children, Thomas and Sydney. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal and various operational awards.

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