James A. Aiken

James A. Aiken Jr. is a retired United States Navy rear admiral and surface warfare officer who last served as the 11th commander of the United States Naval Forces Southern Command and United States Fourth Fleet from 2021 to 2024. He previously served as the commander of Carrier Strike Group 3 from 2020 to 2021, with command tours as commodore of Destroyer Squadron 60 from 2013 to 2015, and commanding officer of the from 2007 to 2008. He was promoted to his present rank on April 1, 2021.
A native of Pittsburgh, Aiken earned his commission via the NROTC Program at Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor's degree in political science. He also earned a master's degree in strategic studies from the United States Naval War College.