Capt. Kevin P. Zayac
Capt. Zayac hails from Denver, Colorado, and received his commission through Officer Candidate School, Pensacola, Florida, in 1997. He attended flight training in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Pensacola, Florida, and was designated a naval aviator in 2000.
Following initial CH-46D Sea Knight helicopter Fleet Replacement Pilot training at Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) 3, he reported to HC-6 in Norfolk, Virginia, for his first operational tour. He deployed aboard USS Arctic (AOE 8) and USS Nassau (LHA 4,) where he flew missions in support of Operation Dynamic Response (Kosovo Forces), Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
In 2003, he transferred to Training Squadron (VT) 2 in Pensacola, to serve as a T-34C Turbomentor aircraft Instructor Pilot. His served as standardization officer, Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures instructor; he also served on the Fixed Wing instructor training unit staff.
His next assignment was aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1) where he served as the safety officer. He obtained his officer of the deck (underway) qualification and guided the ship to the 2007 Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award. During this tour, he completed Joint Post Military Education Phase I through Air Force Air Command and Staff College. In February 2008, he reported to the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. He earned his Aircraft Commander qualification in the C-26 Metroliner aircraft and served as the base operations officer. Following a short tour in Hawaii, he then reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26 for his department head tour where he earned his fourth aircraft commander qualification in the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter. He served as safety officer, training officer, maintenance officer and the officer in charge for the HSC-26 Detachment 1 World Famous “Desert Hawks” deployed in Manama, Bahrain.
Following his department head tour, he attended the U.S. Naval War College, where he completed Joint Post Military Education Phase II and earned a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He reported to HSC-22 in February 2014 as the executive officer and assumed duties as the commanding officer in April 2015.
Following his command tour, he reported to Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee. He served as deputy director for Aviation Distribution, Rotary Wing O-5 detailer and served as the Head Air Combat Placement Officer. In February 2019, He assumed command of the “Fleet Angels” of HSC-2, the east coast MH-60S Fleet Replacement Squadron. In April 2020, he assumed the duties as executive officer, USS Wasp and in December 2020 he fleeted up to become the commanding officer, USS Wasp.
Capt. Zayac previously served as the director of Operations and Plans and is currently serving as the Chief of Staff for Naval Air Force Atlantic.
Capt. Zayac’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medals (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (four awards) and numerous unit and campaign awards. He has logged more than 3,000 flight hours in both rotary and fixed wing aircraft.