Rear Admiral, USN; Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland; Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy, 1986; Masters of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, 1994; semi finalist in NASA group 16 and 17 selections; served as a division officer with Fighter Squadron (VF) 2 (June 1989–April 1992) where he flew in support of Operation Desert Storm and as a department head with the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140 (January 1998–August 2000) where he flew in support of Operation Allied Force, Kosovo. During his tour as commanding officer of VAQ-137 (October 2003—March 2004), the “Rooks” were the first EA-6B squadron to deploy to Bagram Air Force Base Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Ruth has flown more than 100 combat missions in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan. Additionally, he served as navigator aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) (March 2005–June 2006) and executive officer aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) (March 2008–December 2009). During his tour as commanding officer of the U.S. 6th Fleet’s flagship homeported in Gaeta, Italy (August 2010–September 2011), USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) served as the command and control platform for Operation Odyssey Dawn, Libya. As commanding officer of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) (March 2012—July 2014) he deployed to the Western Pacific, Red Sea and Middle East supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He served as commander, Navy Region Northwest in Silverdale, Washington (August 2014–July 2016).