HELSEACOMBATRON THREE

MICHAEL S. RUTH
CAPTAIN, UNITED STATES NAVY

Captain Ruth hails from Alexandria, Virginia and enlisted in the Navy in 1987.

He reported to Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1989 and then reported for flight training in Corpus Christi, TX and Pensacola, FL, where he received his Wings of Gold in 1991.

Sea Duty Assignments include: 1987-1989, USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70), 1991-1996, HS-7 in Jacksonville, FL flying the SH-3H, SH-60F, and HH-60H. His tour included deployments aboard USS JOHN F KENNEDY (CV-67) and USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER (CVN-69), participating in Operations SOUTHERN WATACH, PROVIDE PROMISE and SHARP GUARD.

In 1996 Captain Ruth received the Helicopter Antisubmarine Wing Atlantic Fleet Pilot of the Year Award and the Naval Helicopter Association South East Region and Association of Naval Aviation Pilot of the Year Awards for operational and training flights in the areas of Combat Search and Rescue and Special Operations Support.

1999-2001, USS KITTY HAWK (cv-63) in Yokosuka, Japan as the Assistant Navigator.

2001-2004, HS-15 flying the SH-60F and HH-60H. Deploying aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) supporting Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and SOUTHERN WATCH.

2007-2009, HS-8/HSC-8 Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of the Navy's first carrier-based, MH-60S Armed Helicopter Squadron as a component of CVW-9 and USS JOHN C STENNIS (cvn-74) Strike Group.

Shore Duty Assignments include: 1996-1999, Flight Instructor, HS-10 FRS, San Diego, CA.

2004-2006, Helicopter Shore Detailer, Navy Personnel Command, Millington, TN.

2006, Student, Joint Forces Command and Staff College Norfolk, VA.

2010-2011, Cheif Exercise and Engagement Officer, CENTCOM in support of OEF, forward deployed to Oman.

2011, Deputy Commander, Al Asad Air Base, Iraq.

2012, Commanding Officer, HSC-3, West Coast MH-60S, SH-60F/HH60H Fleet Replacement Squadron.

Captain Ruth received his Blachelor of Science Degree from Regents College, NY and Masters Degree in Management and International Business from the University of Redlands, CA., completing a student exchange program to Cambridge University, England. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (5), Army Commendation Medal, Navy Acheivement Medal (2) and verious campaign and service awards. During his aviation career, he has accumulated over 4,250 mishap-free flight hours in seven aircraft models.