MCC(SW/AW) BEN FARONE
Leading Chief Petty Officer
Naval Air Facility, Atsugi Public Affairs
Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ben Farone was born and raised in Lockport, NY. He graduated from Lockport Senior High School in 2000 and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, IL from March to May 2002.
Farone attended Lithographer “A” School in Ft. Belvoir, VA and his first duty station was aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. He transferred from KITTY HAWK as an LI3(SW) in October 2005, with follow on duty with NATO at Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, The Netherlands.
Farone returned to Japan as an MC2 with duty on the staff of Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, permanently embarked aboard USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC 19) in September 2007. During his tour as Executive Department LPO, he was advanced to MC1. In November 2009, MC1 began is 3rd tour in Japan as LPO of American Forces Network (AFN) Yokosuka, where he provided on-scene coverage of military relief efforts in support of Operation Tomodachi.
In January 2012, Farone transferred to AFN Diego Garcia for a one-year tour, immediately followed by a second one-year tour at AFN Souda Bay, Crete, Greece.
In March 2014, Farone returned to Yokosuka as Media Department LPO aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73). In August 2015, he was selected for Chief Mass Communication Specialist and completed a hull-swap with USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76), returning to Japan with REAGAN in October 2015. He reported to his present command in May 2016.
His personal decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal (two awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Overseas Service Ribbon (fifteen awards) Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (seven awards) Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignia and various other unit and campaign awards.
