Capt. Stephen Froehlich
Commanding Officer, USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7)
24 January 2023
Captain Froehlich, born in Houston, Texas, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Having qualified as a Naval Aviator in January 1999, he flew SH-60B and MH-60R helicopters.
He assumed the duties of Commanding Officer for USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7) on January 20, 2023.
During previous sea-duty assignments, he deployed with HSL-43 BattleCats from San Diego, CA, USS JUNEAU (LPD 10) in Sasebo, Japan, and HSL-51 in Atsugi, Japan from 2008 to 2010 as the Detachment Officer-in-Charge embarked in USS McCAMPBELL (DDG-85).
He later returned to Atsugi to serve as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer for the “Warlords” of HSM-51 from 2014-2016. After command, he was USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) Navigator in Bremerton, WA, where he deployed in 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet operating areas. He served in Bremerton, WA as Carrier Strike Group THREE Chief of Staff. Most recently Captain Froehlich served aboard USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7) as Executive Officer.
His assignments ashore include aide to the Commandant of the Joint Forces Staff College, Fleet Replacement Squadron Maintenance Officer in HSM-41, and J5, Plans and Policy Branch Chief, U.S. Strategic Command in Omaha, Nebraska.
He earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Norwich University in 2013, completed JPME I and II through the Naval War College and the Joint Forces Staff College, He earned his MBA from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School.