Executive Officer
Cmdr. Tyler "TK" Kendall
Cmdr. Tyler “TK” Kendall is a native of Santa Cruz, California. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering and was commissioned as an ensign in May 2006. He completed his flight training in Pensacola, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas and was designated a naval aviator in July 2008.
His first operational sea tour was with the “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida flying the MH-60R from 2009-2012 where he held the position of Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) officer. He deployed to the Fifth and Sixth Fleet onboard USS Gettysburgh (CG 64) and USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) with Carrier Air Wing Eight in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In his first shore duty assignment, he served as a MH-60R instructor pilot with the “Airwolves” of HSM-40 at Naval Station Mayport, Florida from 2012-2015 where he held the position of assistant training officer and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from University of Florida.
Kendall completed a Professional Exchange Program with the Royal Australian Navy flying as an instructor pilot for 725 Squadron at HMAS Albatross located in Nowra, New South Wales as their navy transitioned to the MH-60R helicopter.
His second operational sea tour was with the “Raptors” of HSM-71 at NAS North Island, California where he served as Detachment Three officer-in-charge, operations officer, and maintenance officer. He deployed to the Third, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh fleets onboard USS Spruance (DDG 111) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) with Carrier Air Wing Nine in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel, and Deliberate Resolve. While at HSM-71, he was named “Officer of the Year” for 2019.
He completed a joint-operational tour with Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaiʻi where he served as the division chief for the Policy, Strategic Engagement, and Security Cooperation Division (SOJ52) from 2020-2022. In June 2022, he reported to Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facilities, Jacksonville to assume duties as executive officer.
Kendall has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours in the MH-60R aircraft. His personal military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (3), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various joint and unit awards.