Retired Admiral John C. Aquilino, Former Commander of the US INDOPACOM, Joins Red Cell Partners as Advisor

Red Cell Partners, an incubation and investment firm building rapidly scalable, technology-led companies that are bringing revolutionary advancements to market in healthcare, cyber, and national security, today announced that Admiral (Retired) John C. Aquilino, the 26^th Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, has joined Red Cell as an Advisor to its National Security Practice.

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Retired Admiral John C. Aquilino

“It is our great honor to welcome Admiral Aquilino to Red Cell where his deep operational expertise will be invaluable to the firm and our portfolio founders as we continue to develop the tools required to drive innovation within the U.S. Department of Defense,” said Red Cell’s National Security Practice President Veronica Daigle. “Throughout his illustrious 40-year military career, Admiral Aquilino distinguished himself as a visionary leader committed to ensuring the strength and preparedness of our military. In his role as Commander of INDOPACOM, he implemented critical programs, like the ‘Seize the Initiative,’ to enhance combat readiness and integrated deterrence and counter adversarial threats, all in the name of making our world a safer place.”

While commander of the U.S. INDOPACOM, the nation’s oldest and largest combatant command comprising nearly 400,000 military and civilian personnel, Aquilino was responsible for all U.S. military activities in the Indo-Pacific spanning 36 nations. He served in that role from 2021 until his retirement as a four-star admiral in July 2024. His previous assignments include Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet; Commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet and Naval Forces Central Command; and Commander of Carrier Strike Group 2.

Commissioned in 1984 following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in physics, Aquilino has served as a fighter pilot in every geographic combatant command and participated in nearly every major military operation after his commissioning, including operations Deny Flight, Deliberate Force, Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. In addition to the Naval Academy, he is also a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), Joint Forces Staff College, and Harvard Kennedy School's executive education program in national and international security.

“With near-peer competitors like the People’s Republic of China, Russia, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea taking unprecedented actions that challenge international norms and advance their brands of authoritarianism, our nation today is facing extraordinary national security challenges that are constantly and rapidly evolving,” said Aquilino. “Having spent my entire career combating those threats while carrying out my military duties, my life’s mission has been to ensure that our troops are equipped with the finest warfighting capabilities while also safeguarding peace, prosperity, and global alliances. I see my role as a Red Cell Advisor as a continuation of that mission and look forward to contributing to the firm’s efforts to deliver the most cutting-edge innovations to the DoD in support of our national security.”

About Red Cell Partners

Red Cell Partners is an incubation firm building and investing in rapidly scalable technology-led companies that are bringing revolutionary advancements to market in three distinct practice areas: healthcare, cyber, and national security. United by a shared sense of duty and deep belief in the power of innovation, Red Cell is developing powerful tools and solutions to address our Nation’s most pressing problems. Visit us at redcellpartners.com and follow us on social media (LinkedIn, X, Instagram).

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“It is our great honor to welcome Admiral Aquilino to Red Cell where his deep operational expertise will be invaluable to the firm and our portfolio founders."