CDR TIMOTHY KINSELLA, USN
Executive Officer
Raised in Dublin, Ireland, Commander Tim "Lucky" Kinsella enlisted in the United States Navy in 1989 and earned his Silver Dolphins as a plank owner onboard the USS KENTUCKY (SSBN 737) in 1991. He is a 1996 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, and a 2003 graduate of the university of San Diego, where he earned a Master of Science in Global Leadership. He was designated as a Naval Aviator in 1998. Kinsella's first operational assignment was with the "Gunbearers" of HC-11 in San Diego, CA, where he flew the HH-46D Sea Knight and deployed to the Western Pacific and Middle East on board the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) and USS Boxer (LHD 4). During these deployments he flew missions in support of Operation Stabilize in East Timor and Operation Southern Watch in the Arabian Gulf. In August, 2001, he was the aircraft commander for the rescue of nine Taiwanese fishermen from the burning vessel in hurricane conditions during Typhoon Wutip in the South Pacific, for which he received the Order of the Daedalians Distinguished Airmanship Award and Naval Helicopter Association Aircrew of the Year award.
From 2004-2006 Kinsella served as the Assistant Navigator on board USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75), where he deployed to the middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and to the Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. During this assignment he was named as the Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic Shiphandler of the Year.
In 2007 Kinsella joined the Dragonslayers of HS-11 as a Department Head, where he flew the H-60F/H and deployed on the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He served as the Administration Officer, Operations Officer, and Maintenance Officer. While there, he received the Navy & Marine Corps Association 2009 Leadership Award for Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic.
Ashore, Kinsella served as White House Liaison to Secretary of the Navy, and was hand-selected to serve as the Secretary's Protocol Aide from 2002-2003. He also served as Flag Aide to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare (OPNAV N98) from 2003-2004. Most recently, he served in the Joint Operations Directorate (J-33) on the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2009-2011, where he was picked to serve as Division Chief for the Joint Operations Directorate, Southern Command.
Commander Kinsella is presently serving as the Executive Officer of HS-11. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three award) and various campaign and unit awards. He is marries to the former Jen Southwick of Springfield, IL, and together they are the proud parents of two boys, Timothy, who is 3 1/2 and Charlie, who is 18 months old.