CAPT. JOHN H. CIGANOVICH

CHIEF OF STAFF, CARRIER STRIKE GROUP (CSG) 8

01 December 2025

Captain John Ciganovich, a native of Naperville, IL started his military career enlisting in the Navy as an Aviation Electrician Mate with Strike Fighter Squadron ONE FOUR SEVEN.  He then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL and graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science.  He received his commission through Officer Candidate School at NAS Pensacola.

After flight training at NAS Corpus Christi, TX and NAS Meridian, MS, Captain Ciganovich was designated as a Naval Aviator in 2002 and then reported to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE TWO ZERO in Norfolk, VA for Fleet Replacement Pilot Training.

In 2004 Captain Ciganovich joined the LIBERTY BELLS of VAW-115, forward deployed from Yokosuka, Japan, aboard the USS KITTY HAWK (CV63), serving as the Aircraft Division Officer and Pilot Naval Training and Operation Procedures Standardization Officer.  He then reported to the GOLDEN EAGLES of VT-22 in Kingsville, TX serving as an Instructor Pilot and Aviation Safety Officer.  Following his Pilot Instructor tour he was assigned to a USEUCOM Joint Operations Center for a Global Support Assignment, serving as the Current Operations Officer.

In 2011, he reported to the BLACK EAGLES of VAW-113 onboard the USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76) for his Department Head tour, serving as Safety and Maintenance Officer.  Captain Ciganovich attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Defense and Strategic Studies and completed the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS).  He then served at USSTRATCOM in Omaha, NE as a Strategic Planner.

Captain Ciganovich reported to Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, Virginia Capes, in 2017 to serve as Giant Killers’ Executive Officer and Commanding Officer.  Following his command tour he reported to the USS Eisenhower to serve as the Air Boss, after completing two deployments he reported to the Naval Safety Command as Head of the Aviation Operations Division.  Currently Captain Ciganovich is the Chief of Staff at Carrier Strike Group Eight.

He has accumulated over 3000 flight hours in ten different aircraft to include the T-2, T-45, E-2C Group II, Hawkeye 2000, and E-2D aircraft.

Captain John Ciganovich, a native of Naperville, IL started his military career enlisting in the Navy as an Aviation Electrician Mate with Strike Fighter Squadron ONE FOUR SEVEN.  He then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL and graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science.  He received his commission through Officer Candidate School at NAS Pensacola.

After flight training at NAS Corpus Christi, TX and NAS Meridian, MS, Captain Ciganovich was designated as a Naval Aviator in 2002 and then reported to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE TWO ZERO in Norfolk, VA for Fleet Replacement Pilot Training.

In 2004 Captain Ciganovich joined the LIBERTY BELLS of VAW-115, forward deployed from Yokosuka, Japan, aboard the USS KITTY HAWK (CV63), serving as the Aircraft Division Officer and Pilot Naval Training and Operation Procedures Standardization Officer.  He then reported to the GOLDEN EAGLES of VT-22 in Kingsville, TX serving as an Instructor Pilot and Aviation Safety Officer.  Following his Pilot Instructor tour he was assigned to a USEUCOM Joint Operations Center for a Global Support Assignment, serving as the Current Operations Officer.

In 2011, he reported to the BLACK EAGLES of VAW-113 onboard the USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76) for his Department Head tour, serving as Safety and Maintenance Officer.  Captain Ciganovich attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Defense and Strategic Studies and completed the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS).  He then served at USSTRATCOM in Omaha, NE as a Strategic Planner.

Captain Ciganovich reported to Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, Virginia Capes, in 2017 to serve as Giant Killers’ Executive Officer and Commanding Officer.  Following his command tour he reported to the USS Eisenhower to serve as the Air Boss, after completing two deployments he reported to the Naval Safety Command as Head of the Aviation Operations Division.  Currently Captain Ciganovich is the Chief of Staff at Carrier Strike Group Eight.

He has accumulated over 3000 flight hours in ten different aircraft to include the T-2, T-45, E-2C Group II, Hawkeye 2000, and E-2D aircraft.