If you look out over San Diego Bay at the right time you can see helicopters flying low with Search and Rescue (SAR) swimmers jumping out the side door as they conduct SAR training. Many of those helicopter squadrons fall under the leadership of Captain Kevin “BUFF” Kennedy, Commodore of Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific (HSCWP). With 14 commands including 3,600 people, 150 aircraft, 8 active helicopter squadrons on North Island, a squadron in Guam, a squadron in Japan, two reserve units, a weapons school and the Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) Fire Scout program, Kennedy has a broad scope of responsibilities.
HSCWP ensures the squadrons are manned properly and trained and ready to deploy around the globe. Kennedy said, “Our whole purpose is to ensure that we have credible forces that are ready to go forward and that they have the right people, the right equipment and the right training to do whatever they are tasked to do.”
Originally from Southfield, Michigan, Kennedy earned his degree from Tulane University in 1992 and his commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Program. Kennedy knew he wanted to be a pilot since he was 8 years old when Star Wars came out and he saw Luke Skywalker flying the starfighter and thought that was a very cool thing. Coming from a family of military service, Kennedy’s father and grandfather were both Army officers, he knew he wanted to fly for the military and found the Navy was right for him. A competitive swimmer through high school, Kennedy said, “the discipline of getting up early, doing what you have to do in the time you have available, was critical to instilling the discipline I think I needed. It prepared me well for college, which in turn prepared me for a career in the Navy.”
The Kennedy family has lived in Coronado many times over his 26 year career and loves the community, loves going to the beach with family and, of course, the concerts in the park. The three Kennedy children all play water polo, one for the high school, and the two younger ones with Coronado Aquatics Club. While Coronado has been their favorite duty station, Kennedy earned his Master in Maritime Studies Degree from the University of Wollongong in 2007 while attending the Australian Command and Staff College and really enjoyed that duty station as well. During his short one-year tour, Kennedy travelled with his family all over the country of Australia and nearby New Zealand.
When asked about his job, Kennedy said, “My favorite part of the job is being able to influence the community I’ve served my whole career, and move it in the direction I think is required to position us for success in the near-peer competition the military faces across the world. [chuckling] And it doesn’t hurt that I get to fly once in a while as well.”
