Rear Adm. Mark Sucato graduated with honors from the United States Naval Academy in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. He holds master’s degrees in International Relations from Salve Regina University and Systems Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School. Additionally, he is a Harvard University Kennedy School senior executive fellow.
Afloat, Sucato served in Fighter Squadron 213 “Blacklions” embarked aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and Fighter Squadron 211 “Checkmates” embarked aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65). During these assignments, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Enterprise (CVN 65) completed combat deployments in support of Operations Southern Watch, Desert Fox, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Ashore, Sucato served as a strike fighter tactics instructor at Strike Weapons and Tactics School Atlantic, Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic and Fighter Squadron Composite 13 “Saints.” His staff assignments include aviation requirements officer and executive assistant to the Deputy Director, Air Warfare, on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations; deputy chief of staff for operations for Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve; special assistant for reserve matters to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; deputy director, reserve warfighting requirements and capabilities, on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations; and deputy director, reserve warfare, on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations.
His command tours include Commanding Officer of both Fighter Squadron Composite 12 “Ambush” and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. He assumed command of Navy Region Northwest in May 2022.
Sucato has accumulated more than 3,000 flight hours in strike/fighter aircraft, including the F-14 Tomcat, F-5 Tiger II and F/A-18 Hornet, and is both a graduate of the United States Navy’s “TOPGUN” Fighter Weapons School and a combat-experienced forward air controller (airborne).
Last Updated: 20 October 2022