Executive Officer
Cmdr. Kate "Osprey" Batten
Cmdr. Kate Batten is a native of Castle Rock, Colorado and received her commission from Officer Candidate School in April 2003 after completing a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from the University of Colorado.
Following commissioning, she attended flight school and earned her “Wings of Gold” in Kingsville, Texas in June 2005, carrier qualifying in the T-45 “Goshawk” aircraft onboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). She then reported to Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 120 where she learned to fly the E-2C Hawkeye.
Following completion of her initial training in the E-2C, she reported to the VAW-112 “Golden Hawks” and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9. From July 2006 to Aug 2009, she served as the Legal Officer, Aircraft Division Officer, and Phase Head Landing Signal Officer (LSO), earning the COMNAVAIRFOR Battle “E” in 2007. She twice deployed to C5F on the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Additionally she supported multiple Exercises, to include “Valiant Shield” and “Northern Edge” and successfully earned her Team Lead and Wing LSO qualification.
She was hand-selected to join the “Greyhawks” of VAW-120 in August of 2009 and earned her Flight Instructor and Training LSO qualifications while executing her requirements as the E-2C Program Manager for the fleet.
In June of 2012, she reported to Commander, Navy Region Northwest to assume duties as a Flag Aide. Responsible to the Commander, she coordinated all aspects of scheduling, travel, and daily operations.
After selecting for Operational Department Head, she reported to the VAW-117 “Wallbangers” in Point Mugu, California in January of 2014. There she served as the Administration Officer, Maintenance Officer, and Operations Officer and deployed to the Arabian Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean Sea onboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) supporting combat operations during Operation Inherent Resolve.
In October of 2016, she reported to the Naval Leadership and Ethics Center (NLEC) in Dam Neck, Virginia to assume responsibilities as a flagship instructor for the creation of the Intermediate Leadership Course and Senior Leadership Course Following her tour at NLEC, she reported as the Strike Operations Officer on the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77). Responsible for all scheduling and operations, she led the Operations department and Carrier through Sea Trials, six Carrier Qualification detachments, Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA), and served as the Operations Officer during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).
In January 2024, she assumed the duties as Executive Officer of VAW-120.
Her personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Navy Achievement Medal (2), along with various service and unit awards. She has logged more than 3,000 flight hours in 6 different aircraft and has over 250 arrested landings.