Kevin “Proton” McLaughlin

CAPT Kevin McLaughlin is a native of Newport Beach, California. He enlisted in the Navy in 1989, completed Navy Nuclear Power School, Prototype, and served as a Nuclear Electronics Technician (ET) before being selected to the Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) program in 1991. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nevada and a Master’s Degree from George Washington

CAPT McLaughlin was commissioned and designated a Naval Aviator in August 1993. His sea tour assignments include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), VFA-151 Training Officer aboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64), VFA-94 Safety, Maintenance, and Operations Officer aboard USS NIMITZ, and VFA-14 Commanding/Executive Officer (CO/XO) aboard USS JOHN C STENNIS (CVN 74). During his Command Tour, VFA-14 won the Battle Efficiency and the 2012 RADM Wade McClusky Awards.

CAPT McLaughlin served as a TOPGUN Instructor, a Washington DC Intern Fellow, the Organization Policy Officer at the North American Aerospace Defense/US Northern Command, and the CO of both TOPGUN and STRIKE assigned to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center. His final tour in the Navy was as the Commander of Strike Fighter Wing, Atlantic which is the Navy’s largest Type Wing with 15 squadrons, 300-plus FA-18’s, and over 7000 people in his charge.

He has over 3700 hours and 900 carrier landings aboard 10 different carriers. Personal awards include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Strike-Flight Air Medal (3), Navy Commendation Medal (3), Joint Staff Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (4), Good Conduct Medal, the David McCampbell award, the Charles H Bryant Leadership award, and various unit and service awards. He also served as the President of the Tailhook Association, where he remains an Officer, and is currently the President of the TOPGUN Association. He now works for Boeing in Field Marketing as the Executive Director of Air Wing of the Future.