Kenneth R. Whitesell

Last updated
Kenneth R. Whitesell
Vice Adm. Kenneth R. Whitesell.jpg
Born (1961-07-19) July 19, 1961 (age 63)
Stuarts Draft, Virginia, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Branch United States Navy
Years of service1985–2023
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands Naval Air Forces
Carrier Strike Group 2
Carrier Air Wing One
VFA-41
Battles / wars Gulf War
Iraq War
Awards Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (5)
Alma mater Old Dominion University
Joint Forces Staff College
Naval War College

Kenneth Ray Whitesell [1] (born July 19, 1961) is a retired vice admiral in the United States Navy, and the past Commander, Naval Air Forces. [2] He retired on September 7, 2023. [3]

Contents

Education

Whitesell grew up in Stuarts Draft, Virginia. He graduated from Old Dominion University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. [4] He is also a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and the Naval War College, where he earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. [4]

Whitesell became a Naval Flight Officer in the United States Navy, being commissioned at Officer Candidate School in February 1985 and earning his Naval Aviator Insignia in October 1986. He graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School and flew the F-14 Tomcat and, later, the F/A-18 Super Hornet. He has over 4,000 flight hours. [2]

His operational assignments have been aboard the aircraft carriers:

Whitesell has participated in Operations Desert Shield, Southern Watch, Deliberate Guard/Allied Force, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve. [4]

Overseas assignments ashore:

Commands

Christopher McQuarrie, Whitesell, Tom Cruise, Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer for the global premiere of Top Gun: Maverick. Top Gun Maveric Global Premiere May 2022.jpg
Christopher McQuarrie, Whitesell, Tom Cruise, Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer for the global premiere of Top Gun: Maverick .

Whitesell has served as commander of:

Awards and decorations

Navalflightoff.jpeg Naval flight officer
Navy CaS.png Command at Sea insignia
Joint Chiefs of Staff seal (2).svg Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg Legion of Merit with four gold award stars
Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Defense Meritorious Service Medal
1 golden star.svg
Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg
Meritorious Service Medal with award star
Air Medal ribbon.svg Award numeral 1.png Air Medal with bronze Strike/Flight numeral "1"
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg 1 golden star.svg 1 golden star.svg Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two award stars
1 golden star.svg
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement ribbon.svg
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award star
Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Navy Unit Commendation
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze service star
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
National Defense Service Medal with service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg
Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon.svg
Iraq Campaign Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Service Medal
Silver-service-star-3d.svg
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver service star
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
United States Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
United States Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with expert device.svg Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal

References

  1. "PN1785 — Navy". U.S. Congress. 1994-09-28. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  2. 1 2 Vice Adm. Whitesell becomes Navy’s new Air Boss, Diana Stancy Correll, NavyTimes.com, 2020-10-05
  3. LaGrone, Sam (2023-08-25). "Acting Commanders Set to Take Charge of Naval Academy, Naval Air Forces and NAVSEA". USNI News . Retrieved 2023-09-02.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kenneth Whitesell (biography), US Navy, 2020-10-05, accessed 2020-10-06
Military offices
Preceded by Commander of Carrier Strike Group 2
2016–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of Carrier Strike Group 4
2017–2019
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet
2019–2020
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of Naval Air Forces and Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
2020–2023
Succeeded by