A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Captain Kevin “Kepper” Pickard Jr. graduated in 1996 from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in English (with Merit). Following flight training, he was designated a naval aviator in April 1998. In 2006, he was one of seven officers selected into the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Planning Program where he subsequently attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government earning a master’s degree in Political Science from MIT in 2007. In 2021, he completed Joint Professional Military Education II from the National Defense University’s Joint Forces Staff College, Joint and Combined Warfighting School.
Captain Pickard currently serves as the Chief of Staff for Navy Region Northwest and recently had the honor of serving as the Commanding Officer for Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, where under his command, his team was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for its contribution to Operation Allies Refuge. He has also commanded the “Vigilant Eagles” of Helicopter Training Squadron Eighteen at Naval Air Station Whiting Field. Additional assignments ashore include tours as Senior Military Advisor in the Office of Counterproliferation Initiatives at the Department of State, where he was awarded the Department of State Superior Honor Award, and as Branch Head for Aviation Training Systems (Director, Air Warfare, N98) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations.
His assignments at sea include tours in Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Four in Sigonella, Italy, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Eleven in San Diego, California, Flag Lieutenant (aide-de-camp) for commander Carrier Strike Group Two embarked in USS Theodore Roosevelt, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Twenty-Five in Guam, Executive Officer for the 2515th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment in Basrah, Iraq, and as Ship’s Navigator aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Throughout his career, he has completed multiple deployments to Europe, the Pacific, and the Middle East and supported Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo, and Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve.
Captain Pickard has flown more than 4,200 hours in MH-60S, TH-57, MH-53E, and HH-1N helicopters and the C-26D Metroliner. His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (3), Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Medal (Strike/Flight 3), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.
Last Updated: 20 October 2022