Tom Kilcline Jr.

Thomas J. Kilcline Jr
Thomas J. Kilcline Jr
Born	November 19, 1951 (age 73); Oakland, California
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1973–2010
Rank	Vice Admiral
Commands	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)

Thomas John Kilcline Jr.^[1] (born November 19, 1951) is a retired vice admiral of the United States Navy who served as Commander, Naval Air Forces from June 22, 2007, to July 1, 2010.^[2]^[3]

Naval career

Kilcline graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science 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/A-18 aircraft, and has logged 63 combat missions.^[4] He has made 1,150 carrier aircraft arrested landings, making him a member of the 1000 trap "Grand Club".^[5]

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. Kilcline earned a Master of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California, graduating with distinction; He received a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies and National Affairs from the U.S. Naval War College, and earned his Master of Science in National Security Strategy while assigned to the National War College.

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. Kilcline handed over command on July 1, 2010, to Vice Admiral Allen G. Myers, retiring shortly afterward.^[6]

Awards and decorations

	Navy Distinguished Service Medal
	Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
	Legion of Merit (5)
	Defense Meritorious Service Medal
	Meritorious Service Medal
	Air Medal (2) with bronze award numeral 2 (strike/flight awards)
	Joint Service Commendation Medal
	Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3)
	Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
	Joint Meritorious Unit Award
	Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon
	Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon (2)
	Navy E Ribbon (2)
	Navy Expeditionary Medal (2)
	National Defense Service Medal (2)
	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
	Vietnam Service Medal (1 campaign star)
	Southwest Asia Service Medal (2)
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Armed Forces Service Medal
	Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (5)
	Navy Overseas Service Ribbon
	Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
	Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
	Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal