Capt. Mike Aiena is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a 2000 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned a bachelor's degree in history. He earned his master's degree in applied physics from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Aiena's operational tours include USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49), where he served as communications officer and deployed in support of counter-narcotics operations. He
also served as force protection officer, weapons officer and main propulsion assistant aboard USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), during which he deployed in support of the Global
War on Terrorism.
During his shore tour, he served as a staff officer at the Center for Surface Combat Systems in Dahlgren, Virginia.
An engineering duty officer since 2008, Aiena had a number of tours in acquisition, beginning with Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, followed by the
Program Executive Office Space Systems. He then moved to the Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS) in Washington, D.C., where he served as the national deputy for the United States at the NATO SEASPARROW Project Office (PEO IWS 12) and the electronic warfare and electro-optical/infrared assistant for Above Water Sensors & Lasers (PEO IWS 2). In 2020, Aiena assumed duties as commanding officer, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division Dam Neck Activity (NSWCDD DNA) in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
In January 2022, Aiena assumed command of Naval Surface Warfare Center Corona Division.
Aiena's decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and various campaign and service awards.