Rear Adm. Jonathan Townsend, a native of Cazenovia, New York, recently added two big milestones to his long career with the U.S. Navy – promoting to rear admiral and becoming commander of Navy Region Northwest.
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Rear Adm. Jonathan Townsend, a native of Cazenovia, New York, recently added two big milestones to his long career with the U.S. Navy – promoting to rear admiral and becoming commander of Navy Region Northwest.
Townsend was promoted to rear admiral on Aug. 7 in a ceremony with family, friends and Navy Region Northwest staff. The next day, Aug. 8, Townsend assumed command of Navy Region Northwest in a small ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, relieving Capt. Jason Sherman, who returned to his duties as chief of staff for the command.
Townsend graduated from Cazenovia High School in 1990 before heading off to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1995. Townsend also earned a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in 2009 and attended MIT Seminar XXI, which focuses on national security, in 2023.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Cazenovia, where his parents, David and Beth, still reside.
“I received literally every lesson I needed from my parents, teachers, coaches and the community as a whole to set me up for success in the Navy,” Townsend said.
Townsend joined the Navy 30 years ago. His grandfather’s service sparked the idea to join the Navy.
“My grandfather served in the Navy,” Townsend said. “My love of the ocean and my desire to get flight training and serve my country as my grandfather did compelled me to pursue the Naval Academy as a means of getting my education and follow with service and training.”
Townsend was designated as a naval aviator in 1997. Piloting the P-3C Orion, Townsend served with Patrol Squadron (VP) 10 on deployments to Italy and Puerto Rico, and detachments to Ecuador, El Salvador and Bahrain. He commanded VP-62 on detachments to Italy, Bahrain and Japan, and later served as an instructor pilot at VP-30, which is the Navy’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Fleet Replacement Squadron.
Before taking the helm at Navy Region Northwest, Townsend served as commanding officer of Naval Support Activity South Potomac in Virginia, and as commanding officer of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Texas.
“The Northwest Region is home to the Navy’s third largest fleet concentration area and is home to the full spectrum of naval assets and operations,” Townsend said.
Since 1841, the Navy has been operating in the Pacific Northwest’s waterways to explore, chart and protect the area. Today, Commander, Navy Region Northwest is headquartered at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, on Washington’s Puget Sound, providing consolidated base operations support for Navy activities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa, according to Navy officials.
The commander oversees the assigned shore organization and provides facilities and space management, exercise coordination and support to homeported and transient ships, submarines and aircraft, as well as afloat and ashore tenants, military and family members.
The Navy infuses more than $15 billion annually into the local Northwest economy, and the region is home to approximately 25,041 active duty service members, 3,600 reservists and 20,974 civilian employees, as well as more than 2,400 contractors, 42,000 family members, and 99,200 retirees, according to Navy officials.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Townsend has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of achieving my Navy ‘Wings of Gold’ as well as being pinned as an honorary chief petty officer,” Townsend said. “Otherwise, I am proud of a career duration that has exceeded 30 years of active duty service and reaching the flag rank of rear admiral.”
Townsend serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“I have spent my whole life serving in the U.S. Navy,” Townsend said. “It defines me. The chance to be part of the Navy’s mission with a firm belief in the value of what the Navy does to ensure global stability and ensure our national defense is truly a special honor for me.”
Townsend is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my parents, teachers and coaches,” Townsend said. “They molded me and prepared me for all of the challenges I have faced. My career is a credit to them. I’d also like to thank my wife, Jeannette, and our three children for their continuous support the whole way.”