Commander Kentaro A. Tachikawa, Chief of Staff, Commander, Fleet Air Western Pacific
CDR Tachikawa is a native of Clinton, MS and is a 1995 graduate of Louisiana State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. He attended Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, FL where he received his commission as an Ensign on June 1998.
After completing Aviation Maintenance Officer school in October 1998, he reported to the “Liberty Bells” of VAW-115 at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. He served as the Material Control Officer (MCO) and Line Division Officer and made three deployments with Carrier Air Wing Five onboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63).
In January 2002, he reported to Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego where he served as the Assistant Officer in Charge and Branch Head for the Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System Department. In April 2005, he checked onboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and served as the Quality Assurance Officer for the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) during the global combat deployment and was the division officer for multiple teams and divisions during the ship’s Refueling Complex Overhaul at the Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard.
In February 2008, he reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Four Five (HSL 45) where he served as the Assistant Maintenance Officer (AMO) and Maintenance Material Control Officer (MMCO) and played a pivotal role in the squadron’s transition from the SH-60B to the MH-60R aircraft.
He returned to sea duty and checked onboard Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Twelve (HSC 12) in March 2011. He deployed to the Arabian Gulf with Carrier Air Wing TWO onboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) where he simultaneously performed as the MMCO and MCO. He also served as the AMO and Maintenance Officer.
In March 2013, he reported to Naval Air Technical Data and Engineering Service Center (NATEC) where he served as the Deputy Department Head for Engineering Technical Services. In March 2014, he checked onboard Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers at NAS Patuxent River, MD where he served as the Production Lead for components and engines in the Aviation Maintenance and Material Department.
In July 2016, Commander Tachikawa returned to NAS North Island and served as the Director of NATEC until July 2019. In July 2019, he reported to U.S. Naval Forces Europe/U.S. Naval Forces Africa/U.S. SIXTH Fleet where he served as the Deputy N4A for Fleet Supply, Logistics, and Ordnance (N4). In March 2021, he returned to sea duty and reported to Commander, Task Force 70/Carrier Strike Group FIVE, which was permanently embarked onboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).
He served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Materiel, Maintenance, Ordnance, and Readiness (N4) and completed 3 deployments to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. In June 2024, he reported to Commander, Fleet Air Western Pacific (CFWP) and served as the Maintenance Officer until September 2025, managing six forward deployed Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachments dispersed across Japan, Guam, and Bahrain.
He is currently the Chief of Staff for CFWP, overseeing strategic planning, operational synchronization, and senior level coordination for operational airlift, aviation supply, aircraft weapons repair, and intermediate level maintenance.
CDR Tachikawa’s qualifications and advance education include Professional Aviation Maintenance Officer, Helicopter Control Officer, and membership in the Defense Acquisition Corps. He possesses Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Advanced certification in Life Cycle Logistics and Practitioner certifications in Engineering and Technical Management and Program Management. He has an Executive Masters in Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit, service, and campaign awards.