CAPT Shane Paul Tanner was born in Auburn, NY. He received his commission from Texas A&M University in 1998 as a member of the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets. He completed Primary and Intermediate flight training in Pensacola, FL, and Advanced Flight Training in Norfolk, VA, earning his Wings on 20 October 2000.
His operational tours span the East Coast, West Coast, FDNF-Japan, and FDNF-Europe. He has flown with VAW-121 “Bluetails”, VAW-115 “Liberty Bells”, VAW-117 “Wallbangers”, VAW-120 “Greyhawks”, and commanded the VAW-125 “Tigertails” where he led the Fleet’s first E-2D squadron in the historic homeport shift from Norfolk, VA to Iwakuni, Japan.
His squadrons provided Airborne Command and Control for Carrier Air Wing ONE, FIVE, SEVEN, and ELEVEN, while embarked onboard the USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), USS JOHN F KENNEDY (CV 67), USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73), and USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) in support of Operations NOBLE EAGLE, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, numerous WESTPAC patrols, and partner-building operations across SECOND, FIFTH, SIXTH, and SEVENTH Fleet AORs.
CAPT Tanner’s shore assignments include the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (CAEWWS) as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI); Executive Assistant to the Director Joint Staff J8 Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization (JIAMDO); Military Program Lead for BLACK DART; Executive Officer of the Hawkeye-Greyhound Fleet Replacement Squadron; Executive Assistant to Commander US SIXTH Fleet, Striking and Support Forces NATO; Deputy Commander of Task Force 63, Military Sealift Command Europe and Africa; and his most recent assignment as the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Fallon.
CAPT Tanner graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Community Health 1998. He graduated from the United States Naval War College as a member of the “Halsey Group” with a Masters of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies in 2009. He graduated from the Joint Forces Staff College in 2014 earning Full Joint Qualification. He is also a graduate of the United States Navy Strike Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (CAEWWS).
His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Strike Flight Medal (7), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4), and various other personal, unit, and campaign awards.
CAPT Tanner has accumulated over 3,000 hours in the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, E-2C, F/A-18D, F-16B, S-3B, E-3B, and others. He logged over 600 carrier arrested landings, and 174 combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq
Last Updated: 17 February 2023