Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Shawn Navinskey
A native of Tampa, Florida, Cmdr. Navinskey graduated from the University of South Florida in 2004, earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Navinskey was commissioned through Officer Candidate School (OCS) in January 2005 and reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for aviation pre-flight indoctrination. His next two duty stations in Texas included Corpus Christi and Kingsville, where he earned his "Wings of Gold" in April 2007. Upon earning his wings, he remained at Training Squadron (VT) 22 as a Selectively Retained Graduate (SERGRAD) to instruct his fellow aviators. After a year as a SERGRAD, Navinskey reported to the "Gladiators" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 for initial fleet training in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Navinskey began his operational flying in May 2009 with the “Argonauts” of VFA-147. While an “Argo” he made two deployments, one aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 72) executing a Western Pacific patrol, and one aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) taking part in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), Operation Tomodachi, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Enduring Freedom. During this tour, Navinskey was awarded the Admiral Wesley L. McDonald Leadership Award and was also selected to attend the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in Fallon, Nevada.
Upon graduating from TOPGUN, Navinskey reported to the strike department of Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) in May 2012. While at strike, he instructed in the proper execution of the Airborne Interdiction Mission Commander (AIMC) syllabus, earned his Level IV Adversary qualification and was chosen to be qualified in the F-16A/B Fighting Falcon. While at strike, he also instructed eight air wings in execution of overland strike and air warfare.
Navinskey returned to the fleet in February 2015 as a training officer in VFA-151, the “Vigilantes.” While with the “Vigis”, he completed one deployment aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 72) in support of the Seventh Fleet Commander. While assigned to VFA-151, Navinskey was selected as the air wing tactical standardization officer and also completed the requirements to be an air wing strike lead.
Upon completing the deployment as a training officer, Navinskey attended Aviation Safety School in Pensacola, Florida, and reported to the "Warhawks" of VFA-97 for his department head tour in August 2016. While with the "Warhawks", Navinskey served as both the operations and maintenance officer and executed a partial deployment to the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel. During this deployment, Navinskey was selected to attend the U.S. Naval War College, in Newport, Rhode Island. After reporting to Newport in January 2018, Navinskey graduated the U.S. Naval War College in March 2019 with a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies.
Upon leaving the U.S. Naval War College, Navinskey checked in as the Executive Officer of VFA-143 in October of 2020.
Navinskey has accumulated over 2600 flight hours in 5 aircraft and over 500 carrier arrested landings, including 15 combat missions. His awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Humanitarian Service Medal, and various service awards and ribbons.