Capt. Shane Paul Tanner currently serves as the chief of staff for Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, headquartered aboard Naval Station Norfolk. In this critical role, he plays a pivotal part in overseeing shore installation management and supporting Navy operations across a vital region. A highly accomplished naval aviator with over two decades of distinguished service, Capt. Tanner is recognized for his exceptional operational expertise, strategic vision, and unwavering dedication to mission success across diverse global theaters.
Born in Auburn, N.Y., Tanner commissioned out of Texas A&M University in 1998 as a proud member of the Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets, earning a Bachelor of Science in Community Health. He completed flight training and earned his Wings in 2000. His commitment to continuous learning is evident in his academic achievements, including a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College (2009), graduation from the Joint Forces Staff College (2014), and prestigious qualifications from the United States Navy Strike Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (CAEWWS).
Tanner's extensive operational assignments have spanned the East Coast, West Coast, FDNF-Japan, and FDNF-Europe. He has flown with VAW-121 "Bluetails," VAW-115 "Liberty Bells," VAW-117 "Wallbangers," and VAW-120 "Greyhawks." A highlight of his command tour was leading the VAW-125 "Tigertails," where he spearheaded the fleet's historic first E-2D squadron homeport shift from Norfolk, Va., to Iwakuni, Japan. His squadrons provided critical airborne command and control for Carrier Air Wing 1, 5, 7, and 11, embarked on 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). These deployments supported vital operations including Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, numerous WESTPAC patrols, and partner-building operations across the 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of operations.
His diverse shore assignments include serving as a weapons and tactics instructor at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center and the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School. He further honed his strategic and joint expertise as the executive assistant to the director joint staff J8 Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization and as military program lead for Black Dart. Tanner also served as executive officer of the Hawkeye-Greyhound Fleet Replacement Squadron, executive assistant to Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Striking and Support Forces NATO, and deputy commander of Task Force 63, Military Sealift Command Europe and Africa. Most recently, he completed a successful three-year tenure as the commanding officer of Naval Air Station Fallon, where he led the congressionally mandated Fallon Range Training Complex Modernization Program.
Tanner's exemplary service is recognized through numerous personal awards, including the Legion of Merit (2), 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.
A highly experienced aviator, CAPT Tanner has accumulated over 3,300 hours in various aircraft, including the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, E-2C, F/A-18D, F-16B, S-3B, and E-3B. He has logged over 600 carrier-arrested landings and bravely executed 174 combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Last Updated: 2 July 2025