Capt. Michael G. Mortensen

Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron Three Commander

12 December 2024 Captain Mortensen is a native of Murdock, Neb., and attended the U. S. Naval Academy earning a B.S. degree in Systems Engineering and his commission in May, 2000. 
 
Upon completion of Division Officer Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, R.I., he reported to USS Patriot (MCM 7) in January 2001.  Aboard Patriot he served as Communications Officer, Combat Information Center Officer and Operations Officer completing two Seventh Fleet deployments and numerous international exercises. 
 
Following Patriot, Capt. Mortensen attended Nuclear Power School and Nuclear Power Training Unit, Balston Spa.  From October 2003 to January 2006, he served as RP05 Division Officer aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).  During this tour he completed a deployment to Seventh Fleet, a 12 month Dry-docking Planned Increment Availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and was certified as a Nuclear Engineer Officer by Naval Reactors.
 
Capt. Mortensen’s next station was at the Naval Postgraduate School earning a Masters Degree in Systems Engineering and completing Phase I Joint Professional Military Education.  Following Naval Postgraduate School, Capt. Mortensen attended AEGIS Weapons System School in Dahlgren, Virginia and Department Head Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island. 
 
After graduating from Department Head Surface Warfare Officers School he served on USS Gridley (DDG 101) from June 2008 to January 2010 as Operations Officer.  During this tour he completed two deployments to Fifth and Seventh Fleet and was temporarily assigned to Destroyer Squadron Seven to assist in Fifth Fleet exercise planning and operational plan development. 
 
Completing his tour aboard Gridley, he reported to USS Enterprise (CVN 65) from January, 2010 until January, 2012.  While aboard Enterprise he served as CHEM/RADCON Assistant completing a 27 month Dry-docking Planned Increment Availability and a Fifth and Sixth Fleet deployment.
 
Returning to shore duty Capt. Mortensen took charge as Commander Naval Air Forces, Pacific detachment Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Officer in Charge, serving as the Type Commander represent for three aircraft carrier dry dock availabilities. 
 
After serving ashore, Capt. Mortensen was assigned to USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) from June, 2014 until December, 2015 as Executive Officer.  While aboard Bunker Hill, he completed a Fifth Fleet deployment and screened for Commander Command Afloat.
 
Upon successful completion of his Executive Officer tour, Capt. Mortensen was assigned to Naval Surface & Mine Warfare Development Command staff working with John Hopkins to propose new technology for research and development for shipboard use.  In June of 2016 Capt. Mortensen was ordered to fill a gapped Executive Officer billet onboard Gridley. 
 
After filling Executive Officer billet for 7 months, Capt. Mortensen fleeted up to Commanding Officer on January 27^th 2017.  As Commanding Officer, he led the crew through an arduous 15 month drydocking and initial qualification phase of basic training in preparations for Gridley's NATO deployment.
 
Completing his Command tour aboard Gridley on July 20, 2018, CAPT Mortensen reported to USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) as Assistant Reactor Officer in May, 2019 after completing training at Naval Reactors and a site visit to Naval Nuclear Laboratories in West Mifflin, PA.  Capt. Mortensen was selected for the rank of Captain in May of 2020.
 
Capt. Mortensen reported as Director, Joint Integrated Space Team – USSTRATCOM in September of 2021 and has since taken command as the Commodore for COMPSRON THREE in January of 2025.

 Capt. Mortensen’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (3), Navy Commendation Medal (4), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), the Battle E (4) and other various unit and campaign awards.