 Captain Russell Knight was commissioned from Aviation
Officer Candidate School and designated a Naval Aviator in June 1984. After training
in the A-6 Intruder at Attack Squadron 42, he reported to Attack Squadron 55 in
August 1985. He made two deployments aboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43) and flew combat
operations over Libya.
In August 1988, Captain Knight returned to VA-42 as an instructor pilot. The following
January, he attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, with subsequent assignment to
Strike Aircraft Test Directorate as the A-12 project pilot and test pilot for the
A-6 Rewing Program. He returned to USNTPS as a fixed wing flight instructor.
After completing refresher training in VA-42, Captain Knight joined Attack Squadron
85 in June 1993, and completed a Mediterranean Sea/Indian Ocean deployment aboard
USS America (CV-66), participating in operations over Bosnia-Herzegovina, southern
Iraq and Somalia.
Captain Knight received orders to Attack Squadron 75 in July 1994, completing a
Mediterranean Sea/Arabian Gulf deployment aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69).
He completed his department head tour serving as Maintenance Officer until the squadron
deployed aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in June 1996, the last deployment of
the venerable A-6 Intruder.
Captain Knight earned a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies
from the U.S. Naval War College in June 1997, and received the William Soutan Sims
Navy League Award. Next he was assigned as Aide and Administrative Assistant to
the Director, Office of Program Appraisal, Office of the Secretary of the Navy.
Captain Knight completed FA-18 Hornet training with Strike Fighter Squadron 125,
and reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 147 as Executive Officer in March 1999.
He assumed command in June 2000. Following his change of command, he temporarily
filled the role of Deputy Air Wing Commander for Carrier Air Wing Nine before reporting
to Navy Warfare Development Command as the Air Division Head in January 2002.
In August 2004, Captain Knight was assigned as the Navy Federal Executive Fellow
at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
Captain Knight assumed command of Naval Air Station Meridian Aug. 12, 2005. On Aug.
11, 2008, Captain Knight reported to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island
as the Deputy/Chief of Staff.
Captain Knight has accumulated more than 3,800 flight hours and 900 carrier arrested
landings while flying over 50 different type aircraft. His personal decorations
include two Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Medals, five Navy and Marine Corps
Commendation Medals and three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.
|