COMMANDER LONNIE L. APPLEGET

UNITED STATES NAVY

EXECUTIVE OFFICER, HELICOPTER MARITIME STRIKE

SQUADRON SEVEN SEVEN

     Commander Appleget hails from Celina, Ohio.  He enlisted in the Navy in 1987, and upon completion of Electrician's Mate "A" School was initially assigned to the USS LASALLE (AGF-3).  His enlisted tours also include the USS HUNLEY (AS-31), Shore Intermediate Maintenance Facility Portsmouth, VA, and he is a Plankowner onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) where he earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification and was selected for the Enlisted Education Advancement Program.

     In 1995, Commander Appleget was selected by the inaugural Seaman to Admiaral Commissioning Program and attended OCS in Pensacola, FL.  In the fall of 1996 he reported to USS SHREVEPORT (LPD-12), qualifying as a Surface Warfare Officer. During this tour Commander Appleget was selected for transition to aviation, and was designated a Naval Aviator in December 2000.

     Commander Appleget's first operational aviation tour was with the VIPERS of HSL-48, where he was a member of four VIPER detachments, and served as the squadron Assistant Operations Officer.

     In 2006, Commander Appleget completed the educational requirement of the Seaman to Admiral Program, earning a degree in Political Science from Jacksonville University.  He then joined the AIRWOLVES of HSL-40 as a Fleet Replacement Instructor Pilot.  While in this tour, Commander Appleget was awarded a Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies through the Naval War College Graduate Degree Program.

     In June 2007, Commander Appleget joined the SWAMPFOXES of HSL-44 as a Detachment OIC, deploying with the ROOSEVELT Carrier Strike Group.  Commander Appleget completed this tour as the squadron Maintenance Officer.  He was chosen as the 2009 HSL-44 Officer of the Year and subsequently selected as Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing U.S. Atlantic Fleet 2009 Officer of the Year.  He was awarded the 2009 RDML Paulson Award for Inspirational Leadership.

     In April 2010, Commander Appleget reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he served as the Maintenance Division Deputy Division Chief in the Joint Logistics Directorate (J4) working to deliver enterprise maintenance strategies and joint policy to maximize DOD weapon system readiness.

     In February 2013, Commander Appleget joined the SABERHAWKS of HSM-77 as the Executive Officer.

     Commander Appleget's personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (1 Strk/Flt award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5 awards), Good Conduct Medal (2 awards) and several unit, campaign and service awards.