Captain Bill McKinley Commanding Officer
CAPT Bill McKinley graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture.
Following Nuclear Power School and Surface Warfare Officers School, CAPT McKinley began his first sea duty assignment on USS SOUTH CAROLINA (CGN 37) where he served as the Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant and later as the Main Propulsion Assistant from May 1989 to October 1992. During this tour he deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield. CAPT McKinley’s next sea duty assignment was as the Operations Officer of the USS ARTHUR W. RADFORD (DD 968) from September 1995 till September 1997 where he completed a Mediterranean and Counter Drug Operations Deployment. Following this tour, he transferred to USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) and served as the Reactor Training Assistant from October 1997 till May 1999 and deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Fox. CAPT McKinley’s next assignment was as a JTFEX Battle Group Project Officer for Commander, Second Fleet from May 1999 till October 2000. CAPT McKinley then served as the Executive Officer of the USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) from June 2001 till September 2002 where he completed a Mediterranean deployment. Following Executive Officer, CAPT McKinley was assigned as the Chief Staff Officer for COMDESRON EIGHTEEN from October 2002 till June 2004. During this assignment, COMDESRON Eighteen performed as Sea Combat Commander for the Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. In March 2006, CAPT McKinley assumed command of the USS MITSCHER (DDG-57). During this tour MITSCHER was awarded the Battle Efficiency awards for both 2006 and 2007 and completed deployments to England and South America. Following Command, CAPT McKinley was assigned as the Reactor Officer of CVN-70, the USS CARL VINSON. During this tour he successfully completed Refueling Overhaul and a deployment around South America transitioning VINSON back to the operational fleet and her new home port of San Diego.
CAPT McKinley’s shore assignments include tours as a NROTC instructor at Old Dominion University, a tour as the Officer-in-Charge of the Surface Nuclear Propulsion Mobile Training Team in Norfolk, VA, and Assistant Chief of Staff of the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command in Norfolk, VA.
CAPT McKinley’s decorations include two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, four Meritorious Service Medals, six Navy Commendation Medals, one Navy Achievement Medal, and various individual and unit campaign awards. He holds a Masters of Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.