Commanding Officer – CAPT Timothy L. Watkins

Captain Timothy L. Watkins grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii and Palo Alto, California, graduating from Palo Alto High School in 1976. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) at Newport, Rhode Island in 1977, was appointed to the Naval Academy in July 1978, and graduated in May 1982. He underwent flight training in Pensacola, Florida, and was designated a Naval Aviator in January 1984.
Following initial Fleet Replacement Pilot training in the CH-46 “Sea Knight” helicopter, Captain Watkins reported to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron ELEVEN (HC-11)…

Executive Officer – CDR Michael L. Beno

CDR Mike Beno graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.

Upon completion of the Surface Warfare Officer School Division Officer Course he reported to USS WILLIAM H. STANDLEY (CG 32) and served as Electronic Warfare Officer, Navigator, and Administrative/Legal Officer deploying once to the Indian Ocean. Ashore, CDR Beno attended the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA where he earned a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering…

Marine Officer Instructor – Capt. John A. Prather

Captain John Prather entered military service in 1987 as an enlisted infantryman. Over the next several years, he operated as a military policeman, correctional officer, and instructor at Camp Lejeune, NC. He applied, and was accepted for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program in 1994 and began college during the fall of 1995.

Captain Prather graduated from the University of Memphis in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. After successful completion of The Basic School, Captain Prather was assigned to NAS Pensacola, FL to begin training as a Naval Flight Officer…