A native of Erie, Pennsylvania, CDR Leisenring received his bachelor’s degree in Technology Education from North Carolina State University in 2005. After completing flight school in Pensacola, Florida, he earned his Wings of Gold in 2006 and reported to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ- 129) for initial EA-6B training.

Lieutenant Commander Leisenring began his operational flying in August 2007 with the “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139. While a “Rook,” he made one deployment aboard the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), participating in Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.
 
Leisenring reported to Electronic Attack Weapons School (EAWS) in August 2011 as the LINK-16, ALQ-99, Advanced Jammer Techniques, ALQ-218, & MATT/IDM subject matter expert (SME). During his tour, Leisenring had the opportunity to be the last Navy EA-6B aircrew to attend the Marine

Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron (MAWTS-1) course in the Fall of 2011, earning his Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) qualification and then transitioned to the EA-18G Growler beginning of 2012.

Leisenring returned to the fleet in 2015 as Training Officer in VAQ-133, the “Wizards,” where he completed the squadron’s inaugural deployment in the EA-18G aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in support of WESTPAC operations. Leisenring reported to the “Cougars” of VAQ-139, for his department head tour in 2016 where he made one deployment aboard USS Roosevelt (CVN 71), participating in Operation Inherent Resolve. While with the Cougars he executed all four department head billets.

In 2019, he reported to the Program Executive Office, Tactical Aircraft Programs in Patuxent River, Maryland. He served as Deputy Program Manager for Airborne Electronic Attack Integration in the Airborne Electronic Attack Systems Programs Program Office (PMA-234). He selected for squadron command in March of 2020 and joined team RAMPAGE as Executive Officer in May of 2022.

Leisenring has accumulated over 2,200 flight hours in six aircraft and over 450 carrier arrested landings, including 45 combat missions. His awards include the Strike/Flight Air Medal (2 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards) and various service awards and ribbons

Last Updated: 7 September 2023