Board Members 2007-2011
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER SHAUN A. SWARTZ
UNITED STATES NAVY
BIOGRAPHY
Lieutenant Commander Swartz reported to Air Test & Evaluation Squadron THREE ONE (VX-31) and became a “Dust Devil” in November 2008. In addition to his role as a weapons systems officer (WSO) for F/A-18 A-F weapons developmental test projects, Shaun was the Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) Project Officer and Military Liaison to the Unmanned Systems Activity (USA) for 16 months before becoming the VX-31 Operations Officer in April 2010.
Shaun was born in Lima, Ohio, and grew up in Leawood, Kansas. He attended Blue Valley North High School for two years before spending a year abroad studying in Chambery, France. He returned to Blue Valley North High School for his senior year and graduated in 1991. Shaun attended Stanford University on a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1995. He earned his commission as an Ensign upon graduation in December 1995.
Shaun reported to flight school at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, in January 1997 and received his wings of gold in May 1998. He then reported to Fighter Squadron 101 (VF 101), the “Grim Reapers,” at NAS Oceana, Virginia, for training as a radar intercept officer (RIO) in the F-14 Tomcat.
In August 1999, Shaun reported to the “Fighting Checkmates” of VF 211 at NAS Oceana where he completed two Western Pacific deployments aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), and was designated one of four Carrier Air Group 9 (CAG 9) forward air controllers (airborne). While with the “Checkmates,” he served as first lieutenant, maintenance branch officer, schedules officer, and air-ground/TARPS/FAC(A) training officer. Shaun participated in Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and ENDURING FREEDOM, flying more than 40 combat missions.
In August 2002, Shaun returned to the VF 101 “Grim Reapers” as an instructor RIO. There he taught newly winged pilots how to effectively fight and employ the F-14. He served as public affairs officer, F-14 A/B/D Program Manager, AV/ARM division officer, and was selected to the 2004 F-14 demonstration team.
In September 2004 Shaun joined the Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels) where he served until November 2006 as Blue Angel #8, the Events Coordinator. In that role he was responsible for setting up all Blue Angel airshows, acting as the liaison with local and national FAA officials to ensure safe demonstrations.
In January 2007 Shaun reported to the VFA-122 “Flying Eagles” at NAS Lemoore, CA for instruction in the F/A-18F Super Hornet and upon completing instruction remained on the staff of VFA-122 as an instructor WSO until August 2008, acting as the Safety Department Head. While at VFA-122 Shaun was accepted into the Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO) corps.
Shaun has accumulated more than 2,200 flight hours and 330 carrier arrested landings. He is married to the former Miss Katherine Lively and they have one son, Hunter (7 months). He is certified DAWAI Level II T&E, Level II SPRD&E (SE), Level I PM, and has been identified as Acquisition Corps (AC) eligible. His decorations include a Meritorious Service Medal, two Strike Flight Air Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal and unit awards.