Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet

Admiral Steve Koehler grew up in a Navy Family and is a 1986 graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, where he was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC). Designated a naval aviator in March 1989, he has flown over 3,900 hours in the F-14 Tomcat and F-18 Super Hornet with 600 carrier landings. He holds a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and is a graduate of the Joint Staff College and the Navy Nuclear Power Program.

At sea, he served with Fighter Squadron (VF) 211, VF-41; was executive officer aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), and commanded Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143; USS Bataan (LHD 5); USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69); and Carrier Strike Group Nine. During these operational tours he supported Operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom, Inherent Resolve, Freedom’s Sentinel, Deliberate Guard, and Unified Protector in support of operations in the Middle East, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Libya, Operation Unified Response providing emergency disaster relief to Haiti, and peer competition operations in the East and South China Seas.

Ashore, Koehler has served as an instructor pilot with VF-101, placement officer at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, and chief of staff at Joint Task Force Horn of Africa in Djibouti. As a flag officer, he served as director of Fleet Training at U.S. Fleet Forces Command; director for Operations (J3), U.S. Indo-Pacific Command; deputy commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, and director for Strategy, Plans and Policy, J5, Joint Staff. He assumed command of U.S. Pacific Fleet on April 4, 2024.

U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Veteran

Allen K. Hoe simply says he is a proud citizen soldier. His ancestors include ancient warriors of Hawaii, as well as his immigrant ancestors who hail from New England, California, Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany, China and Japan. He and Adele are the proud parents of, 1st Lt. Nainoa K. Hoe, 3/21 Inf., 25th Infantry Division; who gave his “last full measure of devotion” on 22 January 2005 in Mosul, Iraq; and 1SG Nakoa K. Hoe, 100th Bn 442nd Infantry. 

Hawaiian Mission Academy; the University of Hawaii, Leeward Community College (AA); Manoa, (BA), and William S. Richardson School of Law (JD), represents his educational journey.

He is a U.S. Army Vietnam Combat veteran having served with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, 2nd Battalion 1st Infantry Regiment, Recon Platoon, AMERICAL Division; Vietnam, 1967/68; and the recipient of the Combat Medics Badge, Purple Heart & Bronze Star Awards.

He is a proud member of the first class of the University of Hawaii’s Law School (William S. Richardson School of Law) and has served as Deputy Corporation Counsel with the City of Honolulu and a Hawaii District Court Judge. During his 49 year career he has represented Business and Labor organizations, additionally his focus in civil & commercial matters involving administrative law & regulatory issues; He also served as a Hearings Officer, Hawaiian Homes Commission; and arbitrated Labor, Contracts, Real Estate and civil claims, for the State of Hawaii, City & County of Honolulu and other Public Sector disputes; also as a Mediator in Land Use, Native Hawaiian Access and Title issues; and a Probate Court Master, Lunalilo Trust; Kamehameha Schools Trustee Compensation Committee.