A native of Long Island, New York, Commander Nicholas 'Rabbit' Alfano graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2004, earning a Bachelor of Science in History. He reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for flight training in September 2004 and earned his Naval Flight Officer Wings in February 2006.
Alfano next reported to the VAQ-129 and the Vikings for initial fleet training as an EA-6B Electronic Countermeasures Officer. He began operational flying in April 2007 with the VAQ-139 Cougars, making two deployments aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), participating in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and volunteering for an aircrew augmentation to Al Asad Air Base with the VAG-142 Grey Wolves in support of Operation Iraqui Freedom. During this tour, Alfano also graduated from the Electronic Attack Weapons School to serve as a Prowler Tactics Instructor and was subsequently selected for transition to the EA-18G Growler.
In June 2007, Alfano again reported to VAQ-129 as a student with follow-on orders as an Electronic Warfare Officer instructor at the EA-18G Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS). While at VAQ-129 he served as the Scheduling Officer; both the Assistant to and the Fighter Phase head; Naval Air Training and Operational Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Instructor and Evaluator; and was a member of the Standardization Board.
In December 2012, Alfano joined the staff of Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) as the Electronic Warfare Officer and Current Operations Officer, deploying aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in support of OEF. He departed CVW-7 in January 2015 and reported to Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, as a student at the Naval War College, graduating the College of Naval Command and Staff (CNCS) with a Masters of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.
Alfano returned to the fleet as a Department Head with the VAQ-132 Scorpions in March 2016. Here, he served as the Administration Officer, Operations Officer, Maintenance Officer and Tactics Officer for a Western Pacific Deployment (WESTPAC) and a Secretary of Defense-directed redeployment as part of the Global Reaction Force (GRF) to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Following his department head tour, Alfano served as an action officer and the J3X Branch Chief, Special Operations Command, J-3 Directorate.
Alfano next reported to Training Squadron Eight Six Sabrehawks as the Executive Officer in March 2021 and assumed command of the squadron in May 2022. He reported to NAS Pensacola as the installation's Executive Officer in November 2023.
Alfano has accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours and 300 carrier arrested landings, including 80 combat missions. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Strike/Flight Air Medal (4 awards); Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards); Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4 awards); and various service awards and ribbons.
Last Updated: 12 February 2024