Trung Tá Hải Quân Hoa Kỳ Cao Hùng, Chỉ Huy Trưởng Trung Tâm Huấn Luyện Người Nhái và Trục Vớt Cứu Nạn thuộc Hải Quân Hoa Kỳ. Hải Quân Hoa Kỳ

    

                     Commander Hung Cao                              

United States Navy
Commanding Officer
Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center     

 

Commander Cao was born in Saigon, Vietnam. After immigrating to the United States in 1975, his family relocated to West Africa, returning to the United States in 1982. He graduated with the first graduating class from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in 1989, then entered the Navy as a Seaman Recruit. He was commissioned from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering and immediately commenced training in the Navy’s Special Operations program.

After Dive School and Surface Warfare School, he reported to USS Grasp (ARS 51) in 1997 as the Assistant Chief Engineer, then as the Operations Officer, where he conducted high profile salvage operations including the recovery of John F. Kennedy Jr. and the Civil War Ironclad USS Monitor. In 2001, after Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) school, he reported as Officer In Charge (OIC) to EOD Mobile Unit Two detachment 26 while deploying with Truman Carrier Strike Group for the launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2003, he reported as OIC for EOD Mobile Unit Three Detachment Southwest where he supported local and federal law enforcement agencies in over 200 emergency responses in the San Diego area as part of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. He helped in drafting the annex to the treaty between the U.S. and Mexico for munitions recovery in Mexico and led the first two missions. In 2005, he was selected as Flag Aide to Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Allied Joint Command Lisbon/Strike Force NATO. During his tour, he participated in the first NATO Response Force deployment that aided in the disaster relief for the Pakistan earthquake. In 2006 he attended the Naval Postgraduate School and graduated with a Masters in Applied Physics. While attending school he helped to form and personally trained the Monterey County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad. In 2009, he deployed to Iraq as the OIC for the Combined Explosives Exploitation Cell (CEXC). This multi-national, multi-agency, and multi-service unit processed ALL IEDs in theatre for technical and forensics intelligence, averaging 22,000 items from 450 cases per month, his unit was accredited with writing over 250 arrest warrants and aiding in the conviction of numerous terrorists. In 2010, he reported to Riverine Squadron One as Executive Officer and led the Squadron’s last combat deployment to Iraq. In November 2011, CDR Cao reported to OPNAV N96 where he worked requirements for Anti-Terrorism, Force Protection (AT/FP), Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS), Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (CBRND) for the surface force. Additionally he is the subject matter expert for the Navy’s Biometrics program.

CDR Cao assumed Command of Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center on September 6, 2013. CDR Cao is authorized to wear the EOD Officer, Special Operations, Diving Officer, Surface Warfare Officer, Master EOD Technician and Naval Parachutist Badges. His personal awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Army Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal (four awards) and various unit and service awards. He is native linguist in French and Vietnamese