Jon F. Megahy By. PROVIDED
Virgin Islander and St. Croix native Jon F. Megahy was sworn in as a commander of the U.S. Navy at Naval Air Station, Oceana, Virginia on Wednesday, representing yet another notable Virgin Islander leading major roles on the mainland.
CDR Megahy is also an Atlanta-based first officer flying the Airbus A320 with Delta Air Lines. He was born on St. Croix to parents, Leonard and Laureen Megahy.
After graduation from Country Day School in 2000, Commander Megahy received a full Navy ROTC scholarship to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering, receiving his commission as a Naval officer in December 2004. He was selected to begin Navy pilot training and reported for preflight indoctrination in Pensacola, FL, in June 2005, followed by primary flight training in Corpus Christi, TX, flying the T-34C. From there, he was selected to fly helicopters and went to Milton, FL for advanced training in the TH-57, earning his “Wings of Gold” in January 2007.
Upon completing initial fleet training with the HS-10 “Warhawks” in September 2007, Commander Megahy joined his first operational squadron with the HS-6 “Indians” at Naval Air Station North Island, in San Diego, CA. There he flew two different models of the H-60 helicopter, one designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare, and the other designed for Combat Search & Rescue and Special Operations Support. His squadron was attached to Carrier Air Wing Eleven and did multiple deployments with the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier battle group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. CDR Megahy qualified as aircraft commander and Level III pilot in all mission areas and completed his tour as quality assurance officer and head post-maintenance check pilot for the squadron, training other pilots on functional check-flight procedures and certifying aircraft as safe for flight.
After that assignment, CDR Megahy reported for instructor duty in March 2011 with the VT-2 “Doerbirds” at Naval Air Station Whiting field in Milton, FL flying the T-34C and teaching both US and Allied students from a wide range of countries. His squadron was the last at that base to fly the plane before converting to the new T-6B Texan II. CDR Megahy qualified as formation section lead and check pilot in all syllabus areas, and was handpicked to be the NATOPS officer (Check Airman) for the Fixed Wing Instructor Training Unit, training new instructors in the T-6B for every squadron in the Wing.
In March 2014 his assignment was overseas at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain, as a station pilot with the FIFTH FLEET C-12 executive transport detachment. Operating out of Bahrain International Airport, the detachment transported US and Allied VIPs, cargo and other passengers to locations all over the Middle East region. CDR Megahy served as schedules officer and qualified as aircraft commander and Instructor Pilot.
Upon returning to the United States in June 2015, CDR Megahy transitioned from Active Duty to the Navy Reserve, flying the C-40A with the VR-56 “Globemasters” at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA. He currently serves as Operations Department executive assistant and holds both Aircraft Commander and Initial Operating Experience (IOE) Instructor qualifications. He has participated in numerous youth outreach events over the years as a member of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, to include ACE Academy aviation summer camps on both St. Croix and St. Thomas.
CDR Megahy’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various unit and campaign awards.
