Rear Admiral Fernandez Ponds USN (Ret)
Last Name: Ponds
First Name: Fernandez
Nickname: Frank
Medals and Honors: DSSM, LOM (4), MSM (5), NMCM (3), NAM, DoS Superior Honor Award (2), 2013 GW Black Alumni Association IMPACT Award.
ACNSL Offices and Committees: All Volunteer Force, Alliances & Partnerships, Diplomatic Readiness
Rank: Rear Admiral (Lower Half)
Service/Department: U.S. Navy
Last or Significant Assignment: Commander Expeditionary Strike Group Three
Areas of Expertise: Expeditionary Warfare, Amphibious Warfare
Rear Admiral Fernandez “Frank” Ponds, a native of Alabama, earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama in 1982 and received his commission from Officer Candidate School in June 1983. Ponds holds a Master of Science in Information Systems Technology from George Washington University, a Master of Science in Military Studies from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College, National Defense University.
Ponds commanded Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 from June 2013 to June 2015 and Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8 from November 2007 to May 2009 as commander of the USS Kearsarge (LHD) 3 Expeditionary Strike Group operating in four numbered fleet areas of operation in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, counter piracy operations, and operation Sea Angel II-Bangladesh humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HA/DR). He also served as mission commander for operation Continuing Promise 2008 and Haiti HA/DR operation 2008.
Ponds commanded USS Fife (DD 991) from October 2001 to February 2003. Additional sea billets include: damage control assistant and assistant first lieutenant in USS Mauna Kea (AE 22); boilers material officer in USS Midway (CV 41); engineering officer in USS Berkeley (DDG 15); flag secretary for Commander Amphibious Group 1 (CTF 76); and executive officer, USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964). His shore assignments include inspector for Pacific Fleet's Propulsion Examination Board; inspector in the Office of the Navy Inspector General; Assessment Division/Capability Analysis Group team lead for Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (N81/N00X), Resources, Requirements and Assessment; senior naval advisor in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Department of State during 2005 Pakistan earthquake relief operations, 2006 Lebanon non-combatant evacuation operation, and Hurricane Katrina disaster relief; senior fellow on the 2010 Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group; Special Assistant to COMNAVSURFOR; and commander for Navy Region Hawaii, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific.
His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four), Meritorious Service Medal (five), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, various service and campaign awards, Superior Honor Awards (two) and numerous awards and citations from the State of Hawaii Senate, House of Representatives, State Legislature, and Honolulu City and County Council.
Ponds is an Honorary Chief Petty Officer. He received The 2013 George Washington University Black Alumni Association IMPACT Award for developing and advancing security, energy, environmental, historical, and educational initiatives throughout the Hawaii Region. The IMPACT Award is the highest award given to Black Alumni.
He is the principal and owner of FPONDS LLC, Independent Consulting.