Executive Officer
Cmdr. Robert F. "Uncle Bobby B" Richards

Cmdr. Robert Richards, a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, is a 2006 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering. He is currently assigned to Tactical Operations Control Squadron (TOCRON) 11 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville as the executive officer.

Richards’s operational aviation assignments include the “World Watchers” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1 in Whidbey Island, Washington, and the “Tridents” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 in Jacksonville, Florida.  He executed sorties while deployed to United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), United States European Command (EUCOM), and United States Central Command (CENTCOM) in direct support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, and Odyssey Dawn. Operational sea duty assignment includes assistant combat direction center officer, tactical action officer, and OI division officer onboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) where he deployed in support of U.S. 7th Fleet operations. 

Richards’s staff assignments include duties at Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing (CPRW) 10 as a weapons and tactics unit instructor where he created the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Package Commander course that evolved in to the Maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (MISR) Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course and at Commander, Task Force (TF) 57 as the chief of operations directing EP-3E, P-8A, and MQ-4C operations in direct support of Operations Restoring Hope, Inherent Resolve, Freedom's Sentinel, and Allies Refuge. 

Richards’s decorations include Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), and other personal, service, and unit awards.