Captain Michael Bishop, of Wheeling, WV, enlisted in the Navy in 1993. Upon completion of Boot Camp, CTT “A” School at Corry Station and Naval Aircrewman Candidate School in Pensacola, FL he reported to the World Watchers of VQ-1 at NAS Agana, Guam in August 1994. After advancing to Petty Officer First Class in 1998 he was selected for the FY 99 Enlisted Commissioning Program, attending The Ohio State University graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2001 with a degree in Political Science.
Upon completion of the flight training pipeline at VT-2, NAS Whiting Field and VT-31, NAS Corpus Christi, CAPT Bishop was designated a Naval Aviator in June of 2002. After completing FRS training he reported to the “Grey Knights” of Patrol Squadron FORTY SIX (VP-46) based at NAS Whidbey Island, WA in March of 2003. While in VP-46, he qualified as a Mission Commander and Instructor Pilot and served in several billets including Quality Assurance Officer and Pilot Training. He completed two deployments to CENTCOM and INDOPACOM Areas of Responsibility.
In June 2006, CAPT Bishop reported to the Pro’s Nest of Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30) and qualified as a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor Pilot. While at VP-30 he successfully completed the Weapons Tactics Instructor (WTI) course of instruction and was designated a WTI. He served as Fleet Introduction Division Officer and Fleet Training Department Head.
In March 2009 he reported to the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), homeported in Everett, WA for duty as Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer (Shooter). He completed multiple deployments to CENTCOM and PACOM while serving as Aviation Fuels (V-4) Division Officer and TOPCAT Shooter.
Upon successfully screening for Department Head, CAPT Bishop reported for pre-department head duty in May 2011 at Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TEN, NAS Whidbey Island where he served as Assistant Operations Officer and VP Wing Training Officer. Following FRS refresher training he reported to the Fighting Marlins of Patrol Squadron FORTY (VP-40) in March of 2013 serving as the squadron’s Safety/NATOPS Officer, CTG Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer.
Upon completion of his Department Head tour CAPT Bishop reported for duty at NAVAIR 6.0, NAS Patuxent River, MD and served as Military APML then as IPT Lead for In-Service Support/Fleet Integration at PMA-262, MQ-4C Triton program office. In March 2016 CAPT Bishop was selected for Operational Command and slated for duty at Patrol Squadron FORTY SIX (VP-46) at NAS Whidbey Island, WA.
CAPT Bishop reported as Executive Officer of VP-46 in March, 2017 as the squadron departed on a Quad-Site deployment to Isa AB, Bahrain, Incirlik AB, Turkey, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, and Kadena AB, Japan in support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE and RESTORING HOPE in U.S. CENTCOM. After fleeting up to Commanding Officer, the Grey Knights completed another split-site deployment supporting combat operations in U.S. CENTCOM. Under Skipper Bishop’s leadership the Grey Knights were awarded back-to-back Battle Efficiency awards and back-to-back Golden Wrench awards for Maintenance excellence.
Upon completion of his command tour and a short stint at Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TEN, CAPT Bishop reported to U.S. European Command for Joint Duty in Stuttgart, Germany. There he served in the ECJ7, Directorate for Exercises and Assessments and served as the Readiness Branch Chief and Joint Wargaming and Readiness Division Chief. In May 2023 he reported as Officer-In-Charge of Isa Air Base, Bahrain.
CAPT Bishop has accumulated over 3,000 pilot flight hours and 7,500 total hours in P-3 aircraft. His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and various other campaign and service awards. He is married to the former Kara Gambell of Canaan, NH and they are proud parents of Kathleen Suzanne and Ella Maeryn Bishop.
He assumed command of Naval Air Station Kingsville on September 13, 2022.
Last Updated: 7 October 2024