Commander David ‘Bobby’ Van Kampen

Commanding Officer, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1

29 October 2020 A native of Reno, Nevada, Commander Van Kampen enlisted in the United States Navy as a Machinist Made in the nuclear power program in 1997. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2003, earning a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. He earned his “Wings of Gold” in May 2005 and reported to the VP-3 “Pro’s Nest” for training as a P-3 replacement pilot. CDR Van Kampen began operational flying in April 2006 with the ‘Screaming Eagles’ of VP-1. He participated in two 7^th FLEET deployments as a Screaming Eagle and in addition to numerous CONUS exercises and detachments, he supported MPRA surge efforts to 5^th FLEET flying reconnaissance missions during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

                For his first shore tour CDR Van Kampen returned to the Pro’s Nest, this time as an Instructor Pilot. In addition to training replacement aircrew, he graduated from the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School having attained his Weapons and Tactical Instructor qualification. CDR Van Kampen reported to USS GEORGE WSHINGTON (CVN 73) as Assistant Navigator in 2012 and participated in multiple deployments supporting 7th FLET FDNF operations.

                CDR Van Kampen returned to the ‘Screaming Eagles’ as a Department Head in 2014. While with the Screaming Eagles, he completed two deployments, the first to 7^th FLEET, and the second as part of a multi-site deployment operating in the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th FLEET AORs supporting Operations ENDURING FREEDROM and COPPER DUNE.

                Following his department head tour, CDR Van Kampen served as the Deputy Executive Assistant to the Director, Air Warfare (OPNAV N98). He was selected or squadron command in March 2018 and reported to VQ-1 as Executive Officer in April 2020.

                CDR Van Kampen has accumulated over 2,400 flight hours in the mighty Orion. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Strike//Flight Air Medial (one award)/, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards) and various awards and ribbons