Capt. Mary G. Bookey
Capt. Mary (Westhafer) Bookey is a native of Staunton, Virginia, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. She also received her master’s in business administration from the College of William and Mary in 2007.
Selected for naval aviation, she was first assigned to the “Red Lancers” of Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 10 based in Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine, where she completed two deployments, flying combat missions in support of the Balkans, the war on terrorism and counter drug operations in South and Central America. Bookey reported to Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group (CPRG) in 2004 for duty as the first warfare tactics instructor on the CPRG Staff.
In June 2007, she reported to the USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer, deploying to the Arabian Gulf launching and recovering aircraft in support of Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
Bookey transitioned to full-time support in 2009, joining Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 56 flying the C-9B Skytrain II and the C-40A Clipper aircraft in support of the war on terrorism, OIF, OEF and Operation New Dawn (OND). She later became a selected reservist and completed her first command tour as commanding officer of VR-56, flying detachments throughout the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) and U.S. European Command (EUCOM) areas of responsibilities. Bookey then mobilized to serve as the Operations Officer at the Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center.
Subsequent command tours include Navy Reserve Forces Command Mobilization Center and Navy Reserve Information Warfare Training Group, Norfolk, Virginia. She served as the Director for Expeditionary Culture Workshops at the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, and on Active Duty as the Chief of Staff for Naval Air Force Reserve. She currently serves as the Reserve Chief of Staff for the U.S. 3rd Fleet, the Commanding Officer of the Navy Reserve U.S. 3rd Fleet Headquarters, and is the Acting Deputy Commander at Naval Air Force Atlantic.
Bookey’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards) and various unit and campaign awards.