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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

Contributed by Don McGrogan, BMCS, USN Ret. - Popular Patch

USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19)

CAPT Richard C. McCormack

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Captain McCormack graduated in 1984 from Canyon High School, Canyon Country, CA. Following graduation he enlisted in the Navy and was later selected to attend the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, RI. Captain McCormack went on to attend the United States Naval Academy and graduated with distinction in May 1990 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Oceanography.

Captain McCormack completed flight training in the F/A-18 and reported to the Wildcats of VFA-131 in March of 1995. While assigned to VFA-131 he completed two deployments aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON and USS JOHN C. STENNIS and participated in Operations JOINT ENDEAVOR, DENY FLIGHT and SOUTHERN WATCH.

Captain McCormack reported to the Navy Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, MD in June of 1998 and was designated a Navy Test Pilot in June 1999. He was subsequently assigned to Weapons Test Squadron, Naval Air Weapons Center China Lake, CA where he served as the lead test pilot for the FA-18 E/F mission systems development phase, FA-18 E/F model manager and lead project officer for AIM-9X and the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS).

Captain McCormack reported to the Blue Diamonds of VFA-146 in June 2001 for his Department Head tour. He completed two extended deployments aboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS and USS CARL VINSON and participated in Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and ANACONDA and presence operations in the Western Pacific.

Following his Department Head tour, Captain McCormack reported to the Rough Raiders of VFA-125 in November of 2003 where he served as the squadron Training Officer. He was selected for Aviation Command in April 2004.

Captain McCormack reported to the Sidewinders of VFA-86 as the Executive Officer in October of 2004 and assumed command in February 2006. While in command, Captain McCormack led the Sidewinders on an extended deployment aboard the USS ENTERPRISE to three operational theaters that included combat operations in support of Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM and presence operations in the Western Pacific.

In May of 2008, he deployed to Iraq as the Officer in Charge of Multi-National Division Baghdad’s Joint Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device team supporting the Army’s 4th INFANTRY DIVISION.

Following deployment, Captain McCormack served as the F/A-18 requirements officer on the OPNAV N-88 staff and was subsequently selected for Aviation Major Command. Captain McCormack completed Nuclear Power training in March 2012 and reported to the USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH as the Executive Officer in April of 2012.

Captain McCormack has accumulated over 2,800 hours in 18 different aircraft and has logged over 750 arrested landings while participating in six operational deployments. His personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, four Air Medals (Strike/Flight), three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various other unit and campaign awards.

This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo