People > Notable Norkans > Mark Behning
Mark Behning
Rear Admiral Mark Behning is a native of Phoenix, Arizona, and a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He also holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and has completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI program.
Official photo of DJ5N Deputy Director, Strategic Targeting and Nuclear Mission Planning (Photo by USN)
His sea tours include division officer assignments aboard USS Philadelphia (SSN 690), engineer officer aboard USS Charlotte (SSN 766), and executive officer aboard USS Alaska (SSBN 732). He commanded USS Nevada (SSBN 733) and USS Henry M Jackson (SSBN 730) in Bangor, Washington, and also served as commodore of Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 17 in Bangor, Washington.
His shore tours included duty as the Tomahawk strike officer for the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe; Assistant Force Nuclear Power Officer for Commander Submarine Forces Atlantic; deputy commander, Submarine Squadron 17; deputy for Strategic Forces, Nuclear Weapons, and Force Protection for Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Sea Based Strategic Deterrence branch head for the Director of Undersea Warfare (OPNAV N97), Undersea Warfare Division (OPNAV N97); and, most recently, the Deputy Director and Chief of Staff for Strategic Systems Programs in Washington, D.C.
Rear Admiral Behning currently serves as the Deputy Director for Strategic Targeting and Nuclear Mission Planning (J5N), United States Strategic Command. He is responsible for identifying strategic targets and planning nuclear missions to meet deterrence and decisive national security objectives.
His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and other unit and campaign awards.
Rear Admiral Behning is the great-grandson of Heinrich Kern (1861-1936) from Dietel and Catharina Elisabeth Döring (1870-1941) from Norka.
His shore tours included duty as the Tomahawk strike officer for the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe; Assistant Force Nuclear Power Officer for Commander Submarine Forces Atlantic; deputy commander, Submarine Squadron 17; deputy for Strategic Forces, Nuclear Weapons, and Force Protection for Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Sea Based Strategic Deterrence branch head for the Director of Undersea Warfare (OPNAV N97), Undersea Warfare Division (OPNAV N97); and, most recently, the Deputy Director and Chief of Staff for Strategic Systems Programs in Washington, D.C.
Rear Admiral Behning currently serves as the Deputy Director for Strategic Targeting and Nuclear Mission Planning (J5N), United States Strategic Command. He is responsible for identifying strategic targets and planning nuclear missions to meet deterrence and decisive national security objectives.
His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and other unit and campaign awards.
Rear Admiral Behning is the great-grandson of Heinrich Kern (1861-1936) from Dietel and Catharina Elisabeth Döring (1870-1941) from Norka.
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Last updated December 9, 2023