Commander Steve Foley is a native of Charlestown, Massachusetts, home of “Old Ironsides”
and the scene of the 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill. He attended the Warren-Prescott Elementary School
there and was an early and active member of the Boys Club of Boston. In 1980, he graduated from
Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts, where he competed in soccer, basketball and track and
field. Steve is a 1984 graduate of Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in English.
In February 1985, Steve was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy through
Aviation Officer Candidate School at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida. He was designated
a naval aviator at Meridian, Mississippi, in September 1986. After receiving his wings of gold, Steve
reported to Training Squadron 7 (VT 7) at NAS Meridian, Mississippi, as an instructor pilot in the TA-4J
Skyhawk. After completing his instructor tour in 1988, Steve transferred to Strike Fighter Squadron
125 (VFA 125) at NAS Lemoore, California, for training in the F/A-18 Hornet.
Steve’s initial fleet assignment was with the “Fist of the Fleet” of VFA 25 from 1989-1992
where he deployed to the Arabian Gulf aboard USS Independence (CV 62) in support of Operation
Desert Shield. After deployment he attended TOPGUN, the Navy Fighter Weapons School at NAS
Miramar, California, graduated in March 1991, and returned to VFA 25 as the weapons and tactics
training officer. In May 1992, he reported to TOPGUN as an instructor pilot, flying the F-16N Fighting
Falcon, A-4 Skyhawk, and F/A-18 Hornet. He served as the TOPGUN training officer and specialized
in F/A-18 mission employment and tactics.
In January 1996, Steve reported to VFA 25, NAS Lemoore, California, for assignment as a
squadron department head. While assigned as administrative officer, operations officer and
maintenance officer, he deployed aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in June 1996 and USS Abraham
Lincoln (CVN 72) in June 1998 to the Arabian Gulf and flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation
Southern Watch. Concluding his department head assignment, he was awarded the Michael G. Hoff
Attack Aviator of the Year Award by Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific.
In December 1998, Steve reported to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), NAS
Fallon, Nevada, as the TOPGUN division officer and NSAWC standardization officer. While at
NSAWC, Steve was selected for aviation strike fighter squadron command.
Steve joined the VFA 82 “Marauders” as executive officer in November 2000, at Marine Corps
Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina. He deployed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)
of Operation Enduring Freedom in our nation’s fight against terrorism. Steve assumed command of
the “Marauders” on March 13, 2002, and prepared the squadron for their follow-on overseas
deployment. At the conclusion of his command tour, Steve was awarded the 2002-2003 Strike Fighter
Wing Atlantic Leadership Award by Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic.
Steve then attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he graduated
with distinction. He earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies and was
the recipient of the Navy League of the United States Stephen Bleeker Luce Award, recognizing him
as the Honor Graduate of his class. After graduation, Steve attended the Joint Forces Staff College, in
Norfolk, Virginia, and completed his studies at the Joint and Combined Warfighting School.
Steve assumed command of the Blue Angels in November 2004. He has accumulated more
than 5,300 flight hours in Navy jet aircraft and 788 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include
the Meritorious Service Medal, Individual Air Medal (Combat Distinguishing Device), six Strike Flight
Air Medals, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (one Combat Distinguishing Device),
two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal and unit awards.
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