Commanding Officer
CAPT Mark A. McLaughlin
Commanding Officer
Naval Air Station Kingsville
Born in Omaha, Neb., and raised in Caldwell, Idaho, Capt. McLaughlin earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in economics and received his commission through the Navy ROTC program at Texas A&M University in December 1986. Following primary flight training in NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Fla., and advanced jet training in NAS Beeville, Texas, he earned his Wings in April 1989 and was selected to be an attack pilot in the A-6E "Intruder."
Sea duty assignments began with initial A-6E training in NAS Whidbey Island, Wash. From 1991 to 1997, Capt. McLaughlin completed three Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf deployments aboard the USS Ranger (CV 61) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). In 1997, he transitioned to the EA-6B "Prowler" and completed a fourth deployment with Electronic Attack Squadron 139 embarked aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in 1998.
Shore duty assignments include a tour from February 1993 to March 1995 as an instructor pilot in the A-6E Fleet Replacement Squadron in NAS Whidbey Island, and a May 2000 to May 2003 joint-duty assignment with the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) in Offutt AFB, Omaha, Neb. While there, he was selected to command Strike Training Squadron Twenty Two (VT-22) at NAS Kingsville, Texas. During his June 2003 to November 2005 command tour, VT-22 flew in excess of 40,000 flight hours in the T-45 Goshawk and winged more than 120 Naval Aviators.
Capt. McLaughlin completed an overseas tour assigned as Air Operations Officer for Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) in Bahrain in 2006, and his most recent shore duty assignment was to the staff of the Chief of Naval Air Training, where he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Training (N7) from April 2007 to February 2010.
Capt. McLaughlin has accumulated more than 3,500 flight hours, 761 carrier landings and 87 combat missions during a 23-year aviation career. In addition to various campaign and service decorations, Capt. McLaughlin has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), and the Air Medal (four strike flight awards).
Capt. McLaughlin has a Master of Aeronautical Science Degree with specialties in human factors and aviation operations from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.