Command Leadership

Commanding Officer
Captain Colin P. Day, USN

Captain Day was raised in a Navy family and is a native of Oak Harbor, Washington. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and was designated a naval aviator in February 1999.

Day’s assignments at sea include participation in Operations Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom with the Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) “Black Aces” of VF-41/VFA-41, the “Redcocks” of VFA-22, the “Eagles” of VFA-115, and command of the “Warhawks” of VFA-97. Additionally, he served as executive officer of USS George Washington (CVN 73) and commanded USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) prior to reporting as commanding officer of PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) in May 2022.

Day’s shore assignments include various Naval Aviation Training Command squadrons, F-14/FA-18 fleet replacement squadrons, Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific, NATO Communications and Information Services Agency Headquarters, Navy Nuclear Power Training Command, Nuclear Power Training Unit Charleston, and the staff of Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.

Day has accumulated 858 arrested landings during over 3,500 flight hours flying the F-14A Tomcat, FA-18A/B/C/D Hornet, and FA-18E/F Super Hornet. He is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), holds an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Naval Postgraduate School, and is a joint qualified officer. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, five Strike/Flight Air Medals, four Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals (with combat distinguishing device), and two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals

Executive Officer
Captain Joseph J. Furco, USN

Captain Joseph J. Furco is a native of Key West, Florida and was raised in Deerfield, Illinois, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Spanish minor from the United States Naval Academy in 1999.
Designated a Naval Aviator in June 2002, his first operational assignment was with the “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147. He deployed twice aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and a Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment.

In September 2005, Furco reported to VFA-122 as an F/A-18E/F instructor pilot. He completed his Executive Master of Business Administration degree and was honored with the Admiral Wesley L. McDonald Leadership Award given to the most outstanding Strike Fighter (Pacific) Junior Officer of the year.

In April 2008, he reported to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller)/OPNAV N82 Appropriations Matters office in Washington, DC. Furco managed the Navy’s Manpower and Procurement of Ammunition budgets at the congressional level, in excess of $30 billion annually, earning his Defense Financial Manager/Comptroller subspecialty.

Furco joined the “Gunslingers” of VFA-105 for his department head tour in May 2010, deploying aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) to support Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.

In August 2012, Furco reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, J-6 C4/Cyber and was also part of the National Military Command Center Crisis Management Team.

Furco joined VFA-143 as executive officer in November 2016 and assumed command of the squadron in May 2018. As Taproom 1, he led the “World Famous Pukin’ Dogs” through work-ups and a deployment on board USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of several operations, including Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He proudly watched those Sailors win the Battle “E” before reporting to Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces as the executive assistant to the deputy commander in August 2019.

Furco currently has the honor of working for the Sailors of PCU John F. Kennedy as their Executive Officer.

Furco has accumulated over 3,000 flight hours and has logged over 700 carrier arrested landings. His awards include the 2008 Commander, Strike Fighter Wing, US Pacific Fleet Admiral Wesley L. McDonald Leadership Award and a Public Service Award from the United States Attorney’s Office for outstanding law enforcement service in 2012. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (three Strike/Flight awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various other unit and campaign awards.

Command Master Chief
CMDCM (SW/AW) Miles A. Gray

Command Master Chief Miles Gray, the son of an Army Soldier, was a native of Homerville, Georgia and Columbus, Georgia. He joined the Navy’s Delayed Entry Program and graduated from Jordan Vocational High School in 1995. He left for Navy boot camp in August of that year and completed basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois and Yeoman Class “A” School at Naval Technical Training Center, Meridian, Mississippi.

Upon graduation, he reported for duty onboard USS Ogden (LPD 5) in the Ship’s Office as the legal yeoman, completing two deployments to the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, and advancing to Petty Officer Third Class. His follow-on assignments and duties include: Commander, Navy Region Southeast as flag yeoman, where he was promoted to Petty Officer Second Class; Sea Control Squadron (VS) 32 as Administration and Maintenance Administration Department’s leading petty officer, which included a combat deployment onboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, where he advanced to Petty Officer First Class; Navy Recruiting District Richmond as a recruiter, recruiter-in-charge and zone supervisor, where he was awarded Recruiter-in-Charge of the Year, laterally converted to Navy Counselor Recruiter, and advanced to Chief Petty Officer; Navy Recruiting District Philadelphia as division leading chief petty officer, where he was awarded the Inspirational Leadership Award and advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer; and Navy Recruiting District San Diego as senior command trainer and senior enlisted leader where he was awarded the Region West Spirit of Leadership Award. He was selected for the Command Senior Chief program and promoted to Master Chief in 2016.

As a command master chief he was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 “Red Rippers” in June 2016, completing the inaugural Dynamic Force Employment deployment onboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Exercise Trident Juncture. While assigned to the Red Rippers, they were awarded the 2017 and 2018 Chief of Naval Operations Safety “S” Award. He reported to the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22 “Sea Knights” in April 2019, where his team earned the Battle “E”. He was then selected to lead the Helicopter Sea Combat Wing as the interim Command Master Chief for six months, overseeing 13 commands. He reported aboard PCU John F. Kennedy in May 2021.

Gray is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 177 (Green) and Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat (CMC/COB) Class 159 and he has earned his Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology.

His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (7 awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and various unit and campaign awards. He has earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist devices.

The seal which exemplifies President Kennedy’s life

The ship's motto:

"Serve with Courage.”

The future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) will be the second Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier. The seal integrates elements that honor President John F. Kennedy, his service to the Navy, and his vision for space exploration.

The seal features a ring of 35 stars to represent Kennedy being the nation's 35th President, while the Roman numeral "CIX" (109) notes Kennedy's naval service as commander of Patrol Torpedo Boat 109 in the South Pacific during World War II. A moon backdrop represents Kennedy's role in pushing forward the nation's space program.

Captain Todd Marzano, Former Perspective Commanding Officer, provided the following insight to the crest.

“From the first day of his presidency, he challenged every American during his inauguration speech to ‘ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.’ He regarded serving one’s nation as an honor and held the utmost respect for those who did so with courage, especially when faced with adversity."

Quick Facts about CVN 79

• PCU John F. Kennedy is the 2nd ship of the Ford Class.
• At an official naming ceremony at the JFK Library, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier CVN 79 would be called USS John F. Kennedy. The announcement was made on what would have been the 94th birthday of President John F. Kennedy.
• CVN 79 marks the second aircraft carrier to be named for the late president. The first, a conventionally powered carrier, served from 1968 to 2007 and was also built by Newport News Shipbuilding. Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding Division.
• Keel Laid: 22 August 2015
• Island Landing: 29 May 2019
• Official Stand up of Command 2 October 2019
• Christening: 7 December 2019
• Installed combination of three SPY-6(V)3 radar arrays. First ship to have system providing 360-degree coverage. 19 July 2022
• Commissioning: To Be Determined