Capt. Christopher M. Farricker
Commander, Amphibious Squadron 8
05 December 2024
Capt. Farricker is a native of Florida and is a 1998 graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2003 with a Master of Arts degree in National Security Affairs.
He served as the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer of Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Crew 106, USS Freedom (LCS 1) and PCU Sioux City (Gold). In sequential command, he commanded USS Milwaukee (LCS 5), the first LCS training ship (during his tenure, his crew earned two Battle "E" awards). For major command, he commanded USS Kearsarge (LHD 3).
His other operational assignments include USS McClusky (FFG 41) as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer; USS John Young (DD 973) as Auxiliaries Officer; USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) as Chief Engineer; Riverine Group ONE as Operations Officer, where he was the first Riverine deployed to Iraq, served there throughout 2007 and was the liaison with II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), Multinational Forces Iraq and various other units throughout Iraq. In 2010, he reported to NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (NTM-A/CSTC-A) as the Assistant Commanding General for Police Development lead for the Afghan Ministry of Interior's Ministerial Development where he coordinated 250 coalition and joint personnel in the development of 25 Ministerial Development Plans and conducted training for Afghanistan National Police recruits.
Ashore, Capt. Farricker served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Fleet Readiness on the Naval Surface Force Atlantic staff. Additionally, he served as an action officer on the U.S. 2nd Fleet and U.S. Fleet Forces Command staffs. At both commands, he worked on Navy requirement issues.
Capt. Farricker's awards include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards) and various unit commendations and campaign medals.
Captain Farricker assumed his current duties as Commodore, Amphibious Squadron Eight in December 2024.