CAPT Robert "Smeagol" Reyes

MISSION COMMANDER, PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2026

A native of Honolulu, Hawai`i, Captain Reyes earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of San Francisco (2000) and his Master of Public Administration degree (2016) from the University of Hawai`i at Manoa. Additionally, he has completed Joint Professional Military Education phases I/II (2016/2020) at USAF Air University/ National Defense University, and is a fully Joint Qualified Officer.  Captain Reyes was commissioned in January 2003 after completing Officer Candidate School and began flight school in Pensacola, Florida. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer and received his wings of gold.

Captain Reyes’ notable operational assignments  include: ELECTRONIC ATTACK SQUADRON ONE THREE EIGHT where he completed numerous exercises, detachments and carrier combat deployments in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, with over 25 combat sorties flown; DESTROYER SQUADRON THREE ONE served as operational assessments officer embarked on USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD-52) in support of PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2013; COMBINED JOINT TASK FORCE – OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE 
(CJTF-OIR) served as Strike Air Operations Chief and Electronic Warfare Deputy in direct support of combat operations against ISIS.

Additionally, Captain Reyes’ notable staff assignments include U.S. PACIFIC FLEET N5 Plans and Policy, USSTRATCOM J3 Operations and USINDOPACOM J37 Exercises and Training directorates.

Captain Reyes is currently serving as the Mission Commander for the PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 26 mission.  His other notable command tours have been as Commanding Officer of TACTICAL AIR CONTROL SQUADRON ONE ONE NINE FOUR (VTC-1194), U.S. THIRD FLEET Naval and Amphibious Liaison Element – LV, and Naval Security Forces – Kunia Field Station.

Captain Reyes has accumulated over 1,500 flight hours in various tactical and training airframes (EA-6B, EA-18G, F/A-18F, T-2, T-39, and T-34) and has over 300 carrier arrested landings. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2), Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Medal (Strike/Flight), 

Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and other numerous unit and campaign awards.