CDR Kyle “Handy J” Hanford is a native of Coal City, Illinois.  He attended the New Mexico Military Institute in 2002 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 2007, earning a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering.  He was designated a naval aviator in August 2010.

In Sep 2011, then LT Hanford began his operational fleet career with the “Liberty Bells” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115 aboard the USS George Washington (CVN 73) for four at-sea deployments, aiding directly in humanitarian assistance/disaster relief during Operation Damayan and participating in numerous exercises including Valiant Shield and Talisman Saber.

Hanford reported for instructor duty in Training Squadron (VT) 22 in November 2014.  With the “Golden Eagles” he served as Assistant Operations Officer, Landings Signals Officer, weapons detachment instructor, and Strike Lead, earning numerous Instructor of the Quarter and Month awards.

Completing the EA-18G Growler transition syllabus with Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 in 2017, Hanford then reported to the VAQ-142 “Gray Wolves” as a department head in 2018.  Aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), he completed two deployments to the Western Pacific and participated in two separate Northern Edge Exercises launching from the Gulf of Alaska, a carrier first in 10 years.

In August 2021, Hanford was selected as the first plank owner and department head of VAQ-144, naming and outfitting the “Main Battery”, the first new VAQ squadron of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in 24 years.  As Operations Officer, Maintenance Officer, and Head Landing Signals Officer, he aided in building up 185 personnel, organizing support of multiple joint exercises and carrier detachments while inducting five EA-18G aircraft.

CDR Hanford assumed the position of Executive Officer of the VAQ-131 in April 2024.
 
“Handy J” has accumulated over 3,500 flight hours and 532 arrested landings in his career, encompassing over 1,000 hours in three separate aircraft platforms. His awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), the VADM John Perry Excellence award, and numerous personal, unit, and service awards.