Commander Rick Murray, a native of Annapolis, Maryland, graduated from Georgia Tech in 2006 with a BS in International Affairs and commisioned via the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps.  He was designated a Naval Aviator in 2008 after completing primary flight training at Vance Air Force Base and advanced rotary wing training at Naval Air Station Whiting Field.

His first sea tour was with the “Spartans” of HSM-70, based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, where he deployed to the EUCOM and CENTCOM areas of responsibility with the USS George HW Bush (CVN 77) and USS Gettysburg (CG 64).  He later served as a department head with the “Swamp Foxes” of HSM-74, also at NAS Jacksonville, and again deployed to the EUCOM and CENTCOM AORs, once as OIC of Combat Element THREE onboard USS Truxtun (DDG 103) and subsequently as squadron operations officer onboard USS Eisenhower (CVN 69).

Ashore he has served as an instructor pilot with the “Airwolves” of HSM-40 at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, as a detailer in PERS-43 at Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee, and most recently as the deputy executive assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium.

CDR Murray has accrued more than 2,000 flight hours in the MH-60R Seahawk.  His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3), and the Navy Achievement Medal, along with various campaign and service awards.  He holds a masters degree in International Relations from the Fletcher School at Tufts University.