dm. Chris “Lung” Aquilino is a native to Huntington, New York and a 1984 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He earned his wings in August 1986. 

Operationally, he served in numerous fighter squadrons flying the F-14 A/B Tomcat and the F-18 C/E/F Hornet. His fleet assignments include the Ghost Riders of Fighter Squadron (VF) 142 and the Black Aces of VF-41. He commanded the World Famous Red Rippers of VF-11, Carrier Air Wing 2 and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2. He has made several extended deployments in support of Operation Deny Flight, Deliberate Force, Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. 

His most recent flag assignments include director of Maritime Operations, U.S. Pacific Fleet (N04); deputy chief of naval operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5), commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces, and commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. 

Aquilino graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), and the Joint Forces Staff College and completed Harvard Kennedy School's Executive Education Program in National and International Security. 

Aquilino assumed duties as commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in May 2021. He is entitled to wear the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, as well as several other personal unit and campaign awards. He has accumulated more than 5,100 mishap free flight hours and over 1,150 carrier-arrested landings.