A native of Yorktown, Indiana, Captain Richard enlisted in the Navy in 1988 and was commissioned in 1997 through the Enlisted Commissioning Program. He was winged a Naval Aviator in the spring of 1999 and first qualified in the SH-60B Seahawk. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in International Affairs from the U.S. Air Force Command and Staff College (ACSC).
Captain Richard's sea tours include HSL-42 where he deployed to the Arabian Gulf aboard USS NICHOLAS (FFG 47) and the Eastern Pacific aboard USS BOONE (FFG 28); HSL-44, where he served as Squadron Weapons and Tactics Instructor; HSL-48, where he deployed to the Horn of Africa aboard USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS (DDG 95) and served as squadron Maintenance Officer; and HSM-46, where he commanded and deployed to FIFTH FLEET with Carrier Air Wing ONE aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). He served as Battle Director in the Combined Air Operations Center on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
Captain Richard's shore tours include HSL-40, the SH-60B Fleet Replacement Squadron in Mayport, Florida; Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama; United States Southern Command in Miami, Florida; the Pentagon, where he managed Rotary Wing Requirements on the OPNAV Staff (N98); and Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific in San Diego, California, where he served as Commodore.
Captain Richard has flown more than 2,800 flight hours in a variety of naval aircraft. A former NHA Region-Three Instructor of the Year, a Navy-Marine Association Leadership Award winner, and an ACSC Distinguished Graduate, his personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (2 awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal (six awards).