Executive Officer
Cmdr. Bryan Knick
Cmdr. Bryan Knick was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and is a 2005 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He attended flight school in Pensacola, Florida, Corpus Christi, Texas, and Kingsville, Texas, earning his wings of gold and designation as a Naval Aviator in 2007.
He subsequently reported to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for initial fleet replacement training in the F/A-18 Super Hornet. At VFA-106 he would earn “Top Hook" following initial carrier qualification in the F/A-18E Super Hornet.
Following initial training at VFA-106, he reported to the Knighthawks of VFA-136, and served through 2011 with deployments aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) One. Aboard the “Big E” he participated in Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn, as well as OEF-HOA in support of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.
After VFA-136, Cmdr. Knick reported to Training Squadron (VT) 22 in Kingsville, Texas, to instruct future Navy and Marine Corps Tactical Air (TACAIR) pilots, with operations in El Centro, San Diego and Jacksonville areas. Following VT-22, Cmdr. Knick reported in 2014 to Strike Force Training Pacific in San Diego, California, which was later redesignated as Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 15. At CSG-15, Cmdr. Knick worked with the Strike Warfare training syndicate, and as flag aide to Rear Adm. Joe Kuzmick, ensuring all West Coast deploying strike groups, ships, and MEUs were prepared to meet deployment requirements in the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility (AORs).
In 2015, Cmdr. Knick reported to VFA-122 in Lemoore, California, for F/A-18 requalification and subsequently reported to the "Black Aces" of VFA-41 for his department head tour. Deploying twice with VFA-41 and CVW-9 aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), he participated in Operations Inherent Resolve, Resolute Support and Freedom's Sentinel.
Following his tour with the "Black Aces", he returned to the Flying Eagles of VFA-122 and served as the operations officer, coordinating all Fleet Replacement Training (FRS) training and operations from 2019-2021, with concurrent operations in Lemoore, El Centro, and Key West. After VFA-122, Cmdr. Knick returned to NAS Oceana, reporting in 2021 to CVW-7 as operations officer, coordinating operations across five naval air stations and aboard the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77). Deploying aboard the Bush to the 6th Fleet AOR, he participated in contingency operations in the European AOR, supporting NATO partners and deterring further conflict in that region.
In December 2023, Cmdr. Knick returned to the "Gladiators" of VFA-106, where he currently serves as the executive officer.
Cmdr. Knick has accrued over 3,600 Navy flight hours and over 600 carrier arrestments aboard 11 different aircraft carriers, with extensive combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and East Africa. He is a designated Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) and Forward Air Controller, Airborne (FAC(A)), with personal decorations including the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Navy Commendation and Navy Achievement Medals, as well as various unit and campaign awards.