CAPT Erik J. Kenny

Commanding Officer, USS John P Murtha (LPD 26)

27 February 2026

Captain Erik Kenny, a native of Peekskill, New York graduated with Honors from the United States Naval Academy in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Quantitative Economics. After graduation he attend the University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business where he earned a Master of Science degree in Business and Management. In 2005 he was designated a Naval Aviator at Naval Air Station Meridian, Mississippi. Captain Kenny was selected for the nuclear aviation pipeline, graduating from Naval Nuclear Power School with distinction in 2021.

Captain Kenny’s operational assignments include tours with Strike Fighter Squadron 25 (VFA-25) as a junior officer, with Strike Fighter Squadron 151 (VFA-151) as a training officer, and two tours with Strike Fighter Squadron 14 (VFA-14), first as a Department Head and later as the Commanding Officer, winning the 2019 Battle “E”. Most recently he served as the Executive Officer of USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70). He has completed five deployments aboard various ships to include USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70), USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76), USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) and USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74). His deployments have supported Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE and RESOLUTE SUPPORT. Captain Kenny has logged over 3,000 flight hours and has accumulated more than 500 carrier-arrested landings.

His shore assignments include instructor pilot tours with Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA-122) and Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125); Personnel Protection Branch Chief and the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Joint Requirements Office, Joint Staff, J-8, Pentagon. He is a 2009 graduate of the Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor course (TOPGUN). He is the two-time winner of the Navy-Marine Corps Leadership Award, the 2011 Instructor Pilot of the Year Award recipient and his personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal (Three), Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.