Captain Ty Jurica is a native of Houston. He enlisted in the United States Navy in August 1989 and completed Recruit Training in San Diego, CA. Upon boot camp graduation, he completed Aviation Structural Mechanic (AMS) “A” School in Millington, TN, followed by Naval Aircrew Candidate School in Pensacola, FL, where he also completed over 10 years of service as an Aircraft Structural Mechanic and Naval Aircrewman in the MH-53E.
From 1994 to 1996, he attended Troy State University during his off-duty hours, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. In 1999, he applied for and was accepted to Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Pensacola, FL, earning his commission in November 1999. Following OCS, he completed his primary and advanced flight training at NAS Corpus Christi, TX, and NAS Whiting Field, FL, earning his Naval Aviator wings in August 2001. Following flight school, he completed his initial pilot training in the MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter at Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 12 in 2002, receiving follow-on sea duty orders to HHM 15 at NAS Corpus Christi.
Jurica’s sea duty assignments include six tours with HM 15 based out of NAS Alameda, CA, NAS Corpus Christi, and NAS Norfolk, VA. He also completed a tour on the staff of Commander, US Naval Forces Central Command/Commander Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. He has deployed multiple times onboard USS Inchon (MCS 12) in support of EURO-97, EURO-99 and the Kosovo Air and Defense Campaigns in 1999. He also deployed onboard USS Cleveland (LPD 7) for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003. Jurica has completed a multitude of shore-based forward-deployments to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, 2008 and 2009, Operation New Dawn in 2011 and 2012, NATO Operation Ocean Shield in 2014 and 2016 and his last deployment concluding with Operation Inherent Resolve in 2017 and 2018.
Jurica’s shore duty assignments include Helicopter Training Squadron (HT) 8, Milton, FL; Commander, Mine Warfare Command, Corpus Christi; United States Air Force War College, Maxwell AL; Joint Force Command North, Brunssum, Netherlands; and most recently on the OPNAV staff in the Pentagon from 2019 to 2022.
He was selected for aviation command in 2016 and had the privilege to command the Navy’s largest operational helicopter squadron (HM-15) from 2018-2019. Under his leadership, HM-15 executed unprecedented levels of operational success and maintained peak readiness levels. The squadron safely executed over 4,700 mishap-free flight hours, was awarded the coveted Navy Battle “E” twice, the CNO Safety Award twice, and Retention Excellence Award twice.
Jurica has flown over 3,500 flight hours in the MH-53E earning qualifications as a Helicopter Aircraft Commander, Airborne Mine Countermeasures Mission Commander, NATOPS Instructor Pilot, Instrument Check Pilot and AMCM Instructor Pilot. He has a Master’s Degree in National Security Policy and Strategic Planning and has attained his Joint Qualified Officer designation.
His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medals, Overseas Service ribbons and numerous campaign and unit awards.
Last Updated: 29 August 2022