Captain Mark M. Leary United States Navy Commanding Officer
CAPT. Mark M. Leary, USN, a native of Worcester, Massachusetts, graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and History from Clark University, and earned a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1981. He earned his Navy commission through Aviation Officer Candidate School in July 1982.
After completing flight training in May 1984, he was assigned to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Six (HC-6) in Norfolk, Va., flying the H-46D Sea Knight.In November 1984, he became part of the initial contingent of the newly established Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Eight (HC-8), also in Norfolk, and deployed with the squadron's first detachment aboard USS KALAMAZOO (AOR 6). After a subsequent deployment aboard USS SYLVANIA (AFS 2), he was assigned to the H-46D Fleet Replacement Squadron, HC-3, in June of 1987, where he served as an Instructor Pilot and NATOPS Officer.
Following training in the UH-1N, he reported in August 1990 as Aircraft Handler and V-1 Division Officer aboard USS NEW ORLEANS (LPH 11), and then deployed for Desert Shield and Storm. Returning from an extended deployment to the Arabian Gulf, he served as Assistant Air Officer and qualified as Officer of the Deck (Underway).In August 1992, he reported to the Command and Staff College at the Naval War College, in Newport, R.I., graduating (with distinction) in June 1993. He then returned to HC-6 and served as Detachment Officer in Charge onboard USNS SATURN (T-AFS 10) and USNS CONCORD (T-AFS 5). Returning from deployment he served as the Squadron Administrative Officer and Squadron Maintenance Officer.
In January 1996, he reported to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Financial Management and Comptroller in the Pentagon and served as a Legislative Liaison to the Congressional Appropriations Committees. He then screened for command and reported as Executive Officer of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron FIVE (HC-5) in Yigo, Guam, in April 1999. In January 2000, he assumed command of HC-5 and served until May of 2001. During his tenure, HC-5 earned two consecutive Battle Efficiency awards.
In July of 2001, Leary reported as Navigator to USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) and qualified as Command Duty Officer (underway). In February 2002 he deployed to the North Arabian Sea where JFK and AIRWING SEVEN conducted combat strikes in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In August of 2003, Leary reported as Operations Officer for the Naval Command College, where he planned and executed executive level visits to business, government, and educational institutions in 18 U.S. cities for more than 80 senior international officers of the Naval War College.
In September 2005, after screening for major command ashore, CAPT Leary reported as Commander, U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Cuba, supporting U.S. Southern Commands Joint Task Force Guantanamo in its Global War on Terror Detention Mission. As Commander NAVSTA GTMO, Leary also flew the Naval Stations UC-12M aircraft and conducted monthly Fenceline Meetings with his Cuban military counterparts as the senior U.S. Representative at this unique military to military (U.S./Cuban) venue. In January 2009, Leary assumed Command of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Unit at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Learys decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) and various service medals, campaign medals, and ribbons. He has accumulated over 3100 flight hours.
Commander David Thomas United States Navy Executive Officer
CDR David Thomas joined the Navy in 1990 under the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate (NUMPOC) program while attending Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, CDR Thomas graduated cum laude from Georgia Tech in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. After being commissioned from Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, he attended nuclear power training in Orlando, Florida, and Ballston Spa, New York.
Upon completion of initial submarine officer training at Submarine School, New London, Connecticut, he reported to USS ALABAMA (SSBN 731) (GOLD) home ported at Bangor, Washington. He held the following positions at various times during his tour: Interior Communications Division Officer, Electrical Assistant, Main Propulsion Assistant, and Assistant Weapons Officer (AWEPS). It was during his tenure as AWEPS that the ALABAMA (GOLD) crew earned the Battle E Ribbon and the Strategic White S award.
After his Division Officer tour, which included a mini Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO), and 5 strategic deterrent patrols, CDR Thomas relieved as the Assistant Port Operations Officer of Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU) in Port Canaveral, Florida. While at NOTU, he earned a Masters of Arts in Computer Resource and Information Management and a Masters of Business Administration from Webster University in 1999. Following this tour, he attended Submarine Office Advanced Course in New London, Connecticut
CDR Thomas reported to USS KEY WEST (SSN 722) at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He served as Combat Systems Officer, during which he completed a Depot Modernization Period and Sea Trials, then as Navigator and Operations Officer, during which he completed a Western Pacific Deployment and participated in OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. During this deployment, USS Key West was the first U.S. Warship to be on station and within Tomahawk strike missile range following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
From October 2002 to March 2004, he served as the Ford Island Schools Director at Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific (NAVSUBTRACENPAC) at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. His shore tour at NAVSUBTRACENPAC was cut short so that he could relieve as Executive Officer Afloat of FBM Operational Test Support Unit TWO (OTSU 2). During his tour, OTSU 2 performed as Officer in Tactical Command (OTC) for the Navys first TRIDENT II D5 West Coast Follow-on Commanders Evaluation Test (FCET) as well as two East Coast FCETs. The command also provided Flight Test Support to the first UK Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO) in five years.
In January 2009, Thomas assumed duties as Executive Officer of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Unit at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.
CDR Thomas personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4 awards), Navy Unit Commendation, and various service medals, campaign medals, and ribbons.
Captain Dean Krom United States Marine Corp. Marine Officer Instructor
Captain Krom was born in Denver, CO and grew up in Fort Pierre, South Dakota. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in December 1992 and was selected by Headquarters Marine Corps in 1999 to participate in the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program. He attended the University of North Florida, graduated in 2002 with a bachelor in Finance, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant.
Capt Krom was assigned to Charlie Company at The Basic School, and after graduation in October 2003 was transferred to Pensacola, FL for Naval Flight School. After completing API in Jan of 2004, Capt Krom was assigned to VT-28 in Corpus Christi, TX for primary flight training. He next reported to HT-8 in Milton, FL where he was designated a Naval Aviator in September 2005.
Capt Krom was assigned to fleet replacement squadron HMM(T)-164 flying the CH-46E at Camp Pendleton, CA. After completing initial training in the Sea Knight, he was assigned to HMM-265 at MCAS Futenma in Okinawa, Japan in May of 2006. Capt Krom served as the Aviation Life Support Systems Officer, Flight Line Division Officer, and S-1 Administration Department Head during his tour in Japan. In January of 2009 he was selected as the Marine Officer Instructor assigned to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and is currently serving in that capacity.
Capt Kroms military decorations include the Presidential Service Badge, Navy Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award) and various service and unit awards.
