Tom Kilcline Jr.

Thomas J. Kilcline Jr

Official portrait of VADM Thomas Kilcline
Born (1951-11-19) November 19, 1951
Oakland, California
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1973-2010
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands held Commander, Naval Air Forces
Carrier Strike Group Two
Carrier Air Wing Fourteen
VF-154
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Gulf War
Awards Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (5)

VADM Thomas J. Kilcline Jr. USN (Ret.) (born November 19, 1951) was Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) for the United States Navy from June 22, 2007 to July 1, 2010.[1][2]

Biography

Vice Admiral Tom Kilcline, Jr. graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1973 with a BS in Operations Research. He was selected for naval aviation and upon receiving his commission was sent to NAS Pensacola for initial flight training. He earned his wings in 1975.

Following completion of replacement air group training at NAS Miramar, California, he was assigned to VF-51 aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) flying the F-4 Phantom. Soon afterward, the squadron transitioned to the F-14 Tomcat and moved aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Next he was selected for VF-126, where he flew as an adversary pilot. Two deployments followed with VF-213 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65). His first command was of VF-154, stationed in NAS Atsugi, Japan aboard the USS Independence (CV 62). He later assumed command of Carrier Air Wing 14 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). His most recent operational assignment was as Commander, Carrier Strike Group Two and Commander, USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group. He has flown over 5,600 hours in F-4, A-4, F-5, F-14 and F-18 aircraft, and has logged 63 combat missions.[3] He has made 1,150 carrier aircraft arrested landings, making him a member of the 1000 trap "Grand Club".[4]

Assignments to shore and staff billets include Fighter AEW Wing Pacific strike officer; Joint Task Force Southwest Asia DJ3; Air Operations Officer to Commander 2nd Fleet; Chief of Naval Operations Chair to the National War College; executive assistant to Deputy, European Command; and Chief of Staff for Commander, Naval Air Forces. VADM Kilcline earned an M.S. in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, graduating with distinction; He received an M.A. in Strategic Studies and National Affairs from the U.S. Naval War College, and earned his M.S. in National Security Strategy while assigned to the National War College.

VADM Kilcline’s first shore duty flag assignment was as Director, Naval Aviation Plans and Requirements (N780) on the OPNAV Staff. Following his strike group command, he assumed duties as Director, Air Warfare Division (N88) followed by his assignment as Director, Warfare Requirements and Integration/Senior National Representative (N8F). He assumed the duties of Commander, Naval Air Forces on June 22, 2007. VADM Kilcline handed over command on July 1, 2010 to VADM Myers, retiring shortly afterward.[5]

Commander, Naval Air Forces, Vice Adm. Tom Kilcline, places a squadron patch on Lt. j.g. Troy Leveran during a "Fleet Up" ceremony. (Dec. 8, 2007)
Commander, Naval Air Forces, Vice Adm. Tom Kilcline, sits in an F-5 prior to launching on an ACM sortie. (Oct. 28, 2008)
Vice Adm. Thomas J. Kilcline, Jr., Commander, Naval Air Forces individually thanked the Sailors of the Naval Base Ventura County Honor Guard for parading the colors during the national anthem at the 2008 Rose Bowl game Jan. 1.(January 1, 2008)

Awards and decorations

Navy Distinguished Service Medal

Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star

Legion of Merit (5)
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Bronze star

Air Medal (2) with bronze award numeral 2 (strike/flight awards)
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Gold star
Gold star

Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3)
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon
Gold star

Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon (2)
Navy E Ribbon (2)
Bronze star

Navy Expeditionary Medal (2)
Bronze star

National Defense Service Medal (2)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Bronze star

Vietnam Service Medal (1 campaign star)
Bronze star

Southwest Asia Service Medal (2)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star

Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (5)
Navy Overseas Service Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal

References

  1. Kilcline Takes Helm as Commander, Air Forces, www.navy.mil, (June 23, 2007). Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  2. Commander, Naval Air Forces Holds Change of Command Ceremony, www.navy.mil, (July 2, 2010). Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  3. US Navy Biographies: VADM Thomas J. Kilcline, Jr., www.navy.mil, (July 1, 2010). Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  4. Grand Club Listing, Tailhook.org, Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  5. US Navy Biographies: VADM Thomas J. Kilcline, Jr., www.navy.mil, (July 1, 2010). Retrieved 17 November 2010.

External links

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