CDR Wesley "Gilligan" Kennerly

Commander Kennerly is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics.  He was designated as a Naval Aviator in December 2006 and reported to the "Flying Eagles" of VFA-122 for initial flight training in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

CDR Kennerly's first operational assignment was with the "Kestrels" of VFA-137 from 2007 to 2010, and it included two deployments aboard the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and NEW DAWN.

Following this tour CDR Kennerly reported to the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in Fallon, Nevada.  After graduation he remained on staff from 2011 to 2014, serving as a TOPGUN Instructor and the Navy’s Standoff Weapons subject matter expert.

CDR Kennerly returned to the fleet in 2014 where he served two years as the Training Officer of the "Argonauts" of VFA-147.  In 2016 he returned to the “Kestrels” of VFA-137 for his department head tour, during which he completed two WESTPAC deployments aboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) and was selected as the 2018 Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific LCDR Michael G. Hoff Attack Aviator of the Year.

In 2019 CDR Kennerly graduated from the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, earning a Master of Arts degree in Defense and Strategic Studies while also participating in the Halsey Alfa advanced research program.

Commander Kennerly has over 2,800 flight hours and 580 carrier arrested landings.  His personal awards and decorations include the Strike Flight Air Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal, and various campaign and personal service awards.