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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19)

CAPT. Kenneth J. Reynard USN

Captain Kenneth Reynard, a native of Erie Pennsylvania, graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology in June of 1988. After graduation, he immediately entered Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) and was commissioned in September 1988. Over the next several months, Captain Reynard completed Naval Flight Officer training at NAS Pensacola and ultimately was selected to fly the A-6E Intruder as a Bombardier/Navigator in 1989.

After completion of A-6E fleet replacement training at NAS Oceana with VA-42, he reported for his first operational assignment with the SUNDAY PUNCHERS of VA-75. He made three deployments with VA-75 from 1990 through 1994 in support of Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm and Bosnia.

In 1995, due to the demise of the Intruder, he transitioned to the F-14A Tomcat as a Radar Intercept Officer with the GRIM REAPERS of VF-101 and subsequently made two deployments with THE FIGHTING CHECKMATES of VF-211 to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch.

In March of 1998, Captain Reynard attended the US Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and then was selected as a Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor (SFTI) at the F-14 Weapons School (SWATSLANT) until October of 1999.

He completed his Department Head tour back in VF-211 as Safety Officer, Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer while deploying twice in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom from 2000 to 2002.

Upon returning from sea duty, he assumed the billet of Training Officer and then Operations Officer in VF-101 where he expertly trained replacement pilots and RIOs until May 2003.

In June of 2003, Captain Reynard reported to NATO’s Supreme Allied Command Transformation (SAC-T), beginning his Joint Tour as a Future Experimenter in the Concept Development and Experimentation Division. He led the Alliance’s two largest and most complex experiments in 2003 and 2004 before departing in April 2005.

Following refresher training Captain Reynard returned to VFA-211 for his XO/CO Tour and deployed twice supporting combat missions in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He served as Commanding Officer from May 2007 to July 2008.

After Change of Command he reported to Fleet Forces Command in July 2008 as the N3 Global Force Management Department Head and was then subsequently selected for the Nuclear Power pipeline in Dec 2008.

Captain Reynard has accumulated over 4,500 flight hours in the A-6, F-14 and FA-18 aircraft and 978 arrested landings. His military awards include, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Air Medal (seven awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal (three awards), and numerous unit commendations and awards.

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