COMMANDING OFFICER
STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON 115
COMMANDER ERICK R. KAMMEYER
UNITED STATES NAVY
TALON ONE
A native of Woodburn, Indiana, Commander Erick “Pol Pot” Kammeyer graduated with merit from the United States Naval Academy in 2000, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. In September 2002, he was designated a Naval Aviator at NAS Meridian, Mississippi and received orders to the Flying Eagles of VFA-122 at NAS Lemoore, California for F/A-18E Super Hornet training.
His first fleet assignment was with the “Tophatters” of VFA-14 at NAS Lemoore, CA, where he reported in August 2003. During this tour, he deployed twice aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and flew combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In April 2006, he attended the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in Fallon, Nevada, where he remained as a staff instructor. As a TOPGUN instructor, he served as the F/A-18 Air-to-Air Employment subject matter expert and Standardization Officer.
Upon completion of his tour at TOPGUN, Commander Kammeyer returned to NAS Lemoore, California and reported to the “Eagles” of VFA-115 as Training Officer from 2009 to 2011. He completed a combat deployment aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In December 2009, VFA-115 executed a homeport change to their new duty station, NAF Atsugi, Japan. After arriving in Japan, the squadron deployed to the Western Pacific aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73).
He left the Eagles in January 2011 and attended the School of Aviation Safety in Pensacola, Florida. After being designated an Aviation Safety Officer, he served as Department Head with the “Dambusters” of VFA-195, again forward deployed to NAF Atsugi, Japan, from April 2011 to October 2013. With the “Dambusters” he completed three deployments aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) participating in several multi-national exercises.
In November 2013, he reported to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nevada for a Personnel Exchange Program (PEP) tour with the United States Air Force. While assigned as a Raptor pilot, he conducted operational test missions and commanded the F-22A division.
He was selected for operational command in March of 2014. After refresher training in the F/A-18E, he reported back to Japan and VFA-115 as Executive Officer in February 2017. He commanded the squadron from April 2018 to June 2019. In August 2017, VFA-115 executed a homeport change to their new duty station, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. With the “Eagles” he completed two deployments aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) participating in several multi-national exercises.
During his Navy career Commander Kammeyer accumulated over 3,800 hours in the F/A-18A-F, F-16A/B, and F-22A and 943 carrier arrested landings. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (3), Strike/Flight Air Medal (2), the Navy Commendation Medal (3), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), and various personal, unit, and service awards.
After retiring from Naval service, he began his current career as a pilot for UPS Airlines. He is qualified in the B757 and B767 and serves as a simulator instructor for the airline. He currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky with his wife, Allison, and two boys, Alec and Ian.