Commander Devon Kibbons joined the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies as a Fellow in August 2025. He is a native of Bourbonnais, Illinois, and began his military career in July 1998.
During his enlisted service, CDR Kibbons served on the USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) and USS Cowpens (CG 63) in Yokosuka, Japan, at the Naval Telecommunications Area Master Station, Pacific (NCTAMS PAC) in Wahiawa, Hawaii, and on the USS Crommelin (FFG 37) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Amid his deployments, CDR Kibbons achieved academic success, earning a bachelor’s degree from Excelsior University in 2004 and a master’s degree in project management from Colorado Technical University in 2007. He received his commission through the Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, in February 2009, where he was designated as an Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officer (AMDO).
His commissioned operational tours have encompassed a variety of significant roles, including service with the “Wildcards” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Three, deploying aboard the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) and USS Boxer (LHD 4) out of North Island, California. He also served with the “Sunkings” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron One One Six, deploying aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) from Point Mugu, California, and with the “Griffins” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Nine, forward deployed at Naval Base Rota, Spain.
His shore assignments reflect a breadth of experience, including roles at Fleet Readiness Center, West in Lemoore, California, and with the Airborne Command and Control & Logistics Wing in Point Mugu, California. CDR Kibbons completed his command-equivalent tour as the AIMD Maintenance Officer aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) from September 2023 to August 2025.
CDR Kibbons’s exemplary service has been recognized with numerous personal awards among various unit, service, and campaign decorations. He is authorized to wear the Professional Aviation Maintenance Officer Warfare insignia.
