Capt. Michael P. Aiena is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a 2000 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in History. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Aiena’s operational tours include service as Communications Officer aboard USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49), where he deployed in support of counter-narcotics operations and a multinational maritime UNITAS exercise across Central and South America. He also served as Force Protection Officer, Weapons Officer, and Main Propulsion Assistant aboard USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), where he deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility in support of Global War on Terrorism operations.

His shore tours include service as a Staff Officer at the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) in Dahlgren, Virginia, before attending the Naval Postgraduate School. He went on to serve a number of tours in acquisition, including service as a Combat System Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT) Project Officer at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Port Hueneme Division. During his tenure there, he was assigned as a Project Officer supporting Standard Missile Six Developmental Test and Operational Test events aboard USS Chung Hoon (DDG 93), Combat Systems Ship’s Qualification Trials (CSSQT) aboard USS San Jacinto (CG 56), and later as a Navy Test Officer supporting Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) live fire testing at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

Aiena then served as the Assistant Program Manager for Mission Operations at the Navy Communications Satellite Program Office (PMW 146) in support of the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Satellite Constellation. He moved on to Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS) in Washington, D.C., where he served as the United States National Deputy and Single Point of Contact at the NATO SEASPARROW Project Office (PEO IWS 12), and as Principle Assistant Program Manager for Surface Ship Onboard Electronic Warfare and Electro-Optical/Infrared Systems in the Above Water Sensors program office (PEO IWS 2).

Aiena then served as Commanding Officer, NSWC Dahlgren Division, Dam Neck Activity and Commanding Officer, NSWC Corona Division.

Aiena holds Surface Warfare Officer, Engineering Duty Officer, CSSQT Project Officer and Navy Ballistic Missile Defense Test Officer qualifications.

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal, as well as various unit, campaign and service awards.

Last Updated: 24 April 2025