Captain Kenneth R. Whitesell
Maritime Operations Center Director
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
Captain Whitesell is a native of Stuarts Draft, Virginia. He graduated from Old Dominion University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He received his commission from Aviation Officer Candidate School in February 1985, and earned his Naval Aviation Wings in October 1986. He is a graduate of the Naval War College with a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, and a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College.
Captain Whitesell’s sea assignments include branch and division assignments assigned to Fighter Squadron ONE FOUR TWO onboard USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69). He next served as a TOPGUN Training Officer and Assistant Operations Officer in Fighter Squadron SEVEN FOUR onboard USS SARATOGA (CVN 60). His Department Head tour was served in Fighter Squadron THREE TWO onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). He transitioned from the F-14 Tomcat into the F/A-18F Super Hornet for his Command Tour of Strike Fighter Squadron FOUR ONE, the BLACK ACES onboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68). His Major Command Tour was served as Commander, Carrier Air Wing ONE onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65).
Captain Whitesell’s shore assignments included Tactics Phase Leader at Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO ONE, the F-14 Fleet Replacement Squadron. He was Assistant Readiness Officer for Commander, Fighter Wing Atlantic. His joint tour was served in the National Military Command Center, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington D.C. as the Strategic Action Officer. Prior to Command, he was the Executive Officer of the Fleet Replacement Squadron, Strike Fighter Squadron ONE TWO TWO, during the Fleet introduction and training in the Super Hornet. He served at the Navy Personnel Command as the Tactical Air (TACAIR) Commander Detailer, and Head Assignments Officer. Prior to Major Command, he was the Combined Air and Space Operations Center Battle Director in Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.
Captain Whitesell has participated in Operations DESERT SHIELD, SOUTHERN WATCH, DELIBERATE GUARD/ALLIED FORCE, and IRAQI FREEDOM. He has accumulated over 4000 hours and 944 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal(2), Air Medal and various campaign, unit and individual awards.