Profile of Capt. Larry Vasquez, new NBVC commanding officer

The new commanding officer of Naval Base Ventura County is Capt. Larry Vasquez, a native of the Bronx, New York.

Vasquez graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration/finance from Baruch College, City University of New York.

After working as a financial analyst in New York City, Vasquez was commissioned through Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1988 and designated a Naval Aviator in 1990.

At sea, Vasquez commanded the “Wolfpack” of HSL-45, a 12-aircraft helicopter squadron tasked with providing combat ready helicopter detachments onboard surface combatants deploying around the world. Under his leadership, the Wolfpack earned three “Battle E” awards, two Type Wing Maintenance awards, the CNO Safety award and numerous Pacific Fleet Retention excellence awards.

Vasquez also served in various leadership billets at sea in the HSL (Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light) community while assigned to the HSL-49 “Scorpions” in San Diego and the HSL-37 “Easy Riders” based in Kaneohe, Hawaii, deploying on cruisers, destroyers and frigates.

Vasquez was part of the pre-commissioning crew of USS Bataan (LHD-5) serving in various billets in the Air Department.

Ashore, Vasquez served as the flag aide to Commander, Naval Coordinator Mid-South, Millington, Tenn., instructor pilot and administrative officer in HSL-40 “Airwolves,” program analyst in the Assessments Division (N81) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, and personal and administrative aide to the Secretary of the Navy.

Vasquez most recently completed a tour as the Navy Federal Executive Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.

Prior to his selection as a FEF, Vasquez served as Commander, Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah Afghanistan, a joint team of military and civilian personnel charged with extending the reach of the government of Afghanistan through reconstruction, development, governance and security.

Vasquez earned a master’s degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., and is a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va.

Vasquez’ personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three gold stars), Navy Achievement Medal (two gold stars), Combat Action ribbon and various unit and campaign awards.

Additionally, he was awarded the 2004 League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC) “Excellence in Military Service” award.