Captain Patrick McKenna
Captain Patrick McKenna
B.S. in Engineering Mechanics and Astronautics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.S. in Systems Engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Space Systems from the Naval Postgraduate School
Commanding Officer
Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific
Biography
A native of Middleton, Wisconsin, Capt. McKenna graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2000, earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics and Astronautics. He was commissioned upon graduation of Officer Candidate School at NAS Pensacola, FL, and began flight training there in January 2001. He earned his Naval Aviator Wings of Gold in February 2003 and was assigned to the VFA125 “Rough Raiders” at NAS Lemoore, CA, for fleet replacement training in the F/A-18C Hornet.
McKenna reported in January 2004 to the VFA-27 “Royal Maces” based at NAF Atsugi, Japan, where he completed six Western Pacific patrols aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) flying the F/A-18C and F/A-18E Super Hornet. Following this tour, he was selected to attend Test Pilot School via an officer exchange program with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD) and graduated in December 2007 from Empire Test Pilot School at MOD Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, UK, as a member of Fixed Wing Class 66. A qualified Landing Signal Officer and Test Pilot, CAPT McKenna joined the VX-23 “Salty Dog” Carrier Suitability Department aboard NAS Patuxent River, MD, where he served as lead Project Officer for numerous landing systems projects including initial certification of both the EA-18G Growler and the USS GEORGE BUSH (CVN 77) for shipboard launch and recovery operations.
McKenna returned to the fleet as Carrier Air Wing EIGHT Landing Signal Officer (“CAG Paddles”) and Air Wing Safety Officer in 2009 at NAS Oceana, VA, where he oversaw the work-up and deployment of CVW-8 aboard USS BUSH for CVN 77’s first operational mission. Selected for Operational Department Head, he joined the VFA-81 “Sunliners” in February 2011 and completed back-to-back deployments with Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN aboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) in 2011 and 2012 serving as squadron Operations Officer, Maintenance Officer, Administrative Officer, and Safety Officer.
Following his department head tour, McKenna reported to the National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, VA, in December 2013 as Chief of the joint, interagency Training and Exercise Group in NRO’s Mission Integration Directorate, qualifying as an Information Dominance Warfare Officer and a member of the Navy’s Space Cadre. During this time he earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering and a graduate certificate in Space Systems from the Naval Postgraduate School. He was also selected as a Service Chief’s Fellow at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), completing a fellowship studying R&D project management practices. He reported to the VFA-113 “Stingers” in April 2017 where he completed the 2017-2018 deployment aboard the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, serving as Commanding Officer until Nov 2019.
McKenna joined PEO C4I Carrier Air Integration Program Office (PMW 750) as the Air-Sea Integration Lead until transferring to Tactical C2 Systems Program Office (PMW 150) in Oct 2020 where he served as lead for the Link 16 Crypto Modernization Surface Campaign. He was selected as Executive Aide to NAVWAR Commander in Mar 2022 and reported as NIWC Pacific Commanding Officer in May 2023. McKenna has accumulated 3000+ flight hours in 42 aircraft and 700+ carrier arrested landings, including 57 combat missions. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Strike/Flight Air Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), NRO Bronze Service Medal, and various service awards and ribbons.
