Captain Douglas Graber Commanding Officer, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) More Details 230630-N-CO554-1001.JPG 230630-N-CO554-1001.JPG SHARE IMAGE: Download Image Image Details Photo By: 230630-N-CO554-1001.JPG VIRIN: 230630-N-CO554-1001 Captain Douglas Graber is a native of South Bound Brook, New Jersey, and earned an Electrical Engineering degree from Drexel University in 1996. After commissioning from Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, he was designated a naval flight officer in March 1999. He then reported to VAQ-129 in Whidbey Island for training as an EA-6B Prowler electronic countermeasures officer. He served in multiple operational squadrons including Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, and Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131. In 2012, Graber qualified as an electronic warfare operator in the EA-18G Growler and served as Commanding Officer of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 138. His sea assignments include deployments aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Executive Officer of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), and from September 2021 through December 2022, he served as Commanding Officer of USS New Orleans (LPD 18) forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan. Graber’s shore and staff assignments have included instructor duty at Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, staff for Test and Evaluation Requirements in the Office of Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N091), staff for the Director, Naval Warfare Integration Group (OPNAV N00X), staff for Assessments and Requirements Division (OPNAV N81), and military assistant to the Executive Secretary of Defense at the Office of Secretary of Defense. His awards include a Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Individual Air Medal (with Combat “V” distinction), Strike/Flight Air Medals (seven awards), Navy Commendation Medals (three awards) and Navy Achievement Medals (three awards) and various campaign and unit citations.