Cmdr. Richard J. Prescott
A native of Avon, Ohio, Cmdr. Richard “T-Rex” Prescott received his commission in 2003 through the Nuclear Power Officer Candidate Program. He first served as a math and physics instructor at the Navy Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina.
Prescott was selected for flight training in 2006 and received his "Wings of Gold" in 2008. After training in the F/A-18C with the Marines of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 101, he reported to the “Stingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 for his junior officer sea tour. During his time with the “Stingers” he held multiple positions and made two combat deployments aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) flying missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.
In 2013, he was assigned as a fleet replacement squadron instructor with the “Gladiators” of VFA-106. There, he served as intelligence officer, fighter and carrier qualification standardization officer, and earned his landing signals officer training qualification.
In 2015, he reported to the “Golden Warriors” of VFA-87 during their platform transition from the F/A-18C to the F/A-18E. While serving with the “Golden Warriors” he held the positions of administration, safety, maintenance, and operations officer. Additionally, he deployed aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) flying missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
From December 2017 to June 2020, Prescott served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, J-3, as an assistant deputy director for operations and presidential strike advisor at the National Military Command Center.
In February 2021, he reported to the “Rampagers” of VFA-83 as the executive officer and deployed aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) flying missions in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
Prescott took command of VFA-83 on May 26th, 2022.
Prescott holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Ohio State University and a Master's of Business Administration from The Citadel. He has received multiple personal and unit awards which he attributes to the support of his family and the hard work of the officers and Sailors with whom he has served.