Rear Admiral David Manero

Rear Adm. David Manero is a native of Highland Park, New Jersey and a 1988 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.  He was designated a Naval Aviator in July 1989 and is now a foreign area officer (FAO).  He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School Class 112, and holds a Master of Public Policy in International Affairs and Security from Harvard University, and a Master of Strategic Studies (with distinction) from the U.S. Air War College.

While assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 43, HSL-45 and Commander Carrier Group (CCG) 1, Manero made numerous operational deployments to the Middle East, Asia and South and Central America embarked onboard USS Paul F. Foster (DDG-964), USS Jarrett (FFG-33), USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and USS DeWert (FFG-45). He has accumulated 69 combat missions, over 3,900 flight hours in 35 different aircraft types and commanded Training Squadron  (VT) 2, earning the Vice Admiral Goldthwaite Award, the Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) Excellence Award and the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award.

Other assignments and overseas tours include: Legislative Fellow and acting military legislative assistant for the Senate Minority Leader; U.S. European Command as chief, Security Cooperation Programs (ECJ5-SCP) and chief, European Division (ECJ5-E); U.S. Naval Attaché (ALUSNA) Moscow;  and chief of the Navy’s International Engagement and Integration/FAO Community Policy Branches (N521/522). Manero was diplomatically expelled from the Russian Federation on his first flag assignment as Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché (SDO/DATT) Moscow.  He was subsequently appointed as SDO/DATT London and assumed duties in July 2018.

Personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Air Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (six awards; two with Combat V), Navy Achievement Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon. He is also a designated acquisition professional.