Capt. Mike “Heavin’” Stephen is a native of Santa Barbara, California and 2001 graduate of UC Davis earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Political Science and History. He was commissioned after attending Officer Candidate School at NAS Pensacola, FL in 2002. Furthermore, he earned a Master of Science degree in Adult, Occupational and Continuing Education from Kansas State University while attending US Army’s Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, KS in 2012.
Stephen’s operational tours include the “Black Eagles” of VAW-113 deploying aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was selected as the 2007 AFCEA Copernicus Award winner for contributions to C4I and as the 2007 Commander ACCLOGWING Naval Flight Officer of the Year. He reported to USS Enterprise (CVN 65) to serve as the Assistant Navigator and deployed in 2011 and 2012. As a Department Head, he deployed with the “Wallbangers” of VAW-117 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He returned to the “Wallbangers” as they transitioned to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye; taking command from September 2020 until December 2021.
Ashore, Stephen reported to VAW-120 serving as the Tactics Phase Head, E-2D Officer, and E-2C NATOPS Unit Evaluator for the Hawkeye Community. He was a member of the Hawkeye Tactical Analysis Team and served as a Weapons Tactics Instructor. He reported for joint duty to AFRICOM in Stuttgart, Germany and to NAVEUR-NAVAF in Naples, Italy as Deputy Director of Strategy, Policy, Integration, and Future Plans. Most recently he served as Executive Assistant to the NAVEUR-NAVAF Executive Director and Chief of Staff.
He has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours and over 400 arrested landings. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign, and service awards.
Capt. Stephen assumed command of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on June 6, 2024.
Last Updated: 10 June 2024