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Rear Adm. (Sel) Harris is a native of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and a 1987 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.  He was designated a naval flight officer in May 1989 and subsequently a naval aviator in May 1993.

Prior command tours include Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the FA-18 E/F series Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122  onboard Naval Air Station Lemoore, and Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115, embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

Harris’ sea tours include Attack Squadron (VA) 185 aboard USS Midway (CV-41), Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 with deployments aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), and as department head with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

Ashore, Harris’ tours include VFA-125 as an Instructor Pilot and Training Officer, U.S. Special Operations Command, where he served in the Center for Special Operations, Training, Doctrine and Education Division, Commander Strike Force Training Pacific to serve as the Air Operations and Plans Officer, a brief assignment as a Battle Director, Combined Air and Space Operating Center, in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, OPNAV N3/N5 as the Deputy Director Air-Sea Battle, and most recently at OPNAV N98 as the Carrier Srike Aircraft & Programs Branch Head (OPNAV N980S).

He has accumulated over 4,200 flight hours, 1,045 arrested landings and has flown over 100 combat missions in direct support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. 

Harris’ personal awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Air Medal (six Strike/Flight, one with Combat “V”), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards, one with Combat “V”), Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), as well as various other campaign and unit awards.