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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive


Contributed by Wolfgang Hechler

USS Somerset (LPD-25)


CDR. Leonard E. Reed, USN

Captain Reed, raised in Gambrills, Md., earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1990, where he majored in Political Science and Economics. Captain Reed was designated a Naval Aviator in 1992, a patrol plane pilot in 1994 and a patrol plane weapons and tactics instructor in 1999.

His last assignment was to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Staff warfare integration group (N00X) and assessments division (N81). In December 2012, CAPT Reed reported to USS SOMERSET (LPD-25) to serve as the Executive Officer. In October 2014, CAPT Reed assumed command of USS SOMERSET.

CAPT Reed’s operational assignments include Patrol Squadron (VP) 23 Brunswick, Maine; Patrol Squadron (VP) 11 Brunswick, Maine, as maintenance officer; USS KITTY HAWK Yokosuka, Japan, as assistant operations officer; Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 Kaneohe, Hawaii as Executive and Commanding Officer and Task Force 57/72, Misawa, Japan, as the operations, plans and requirements officer.

During those operational assignments, Captain Reed earned numerous personal and command awards while flying hundreds of combat flight hours over the Balkans and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Eastern Mediterranean and Philippines. In Southwest Asia, Captain Reed stood Carrier (CV) Underway Officer of the Deck and flew in support Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom. He also flew submarine tracking operations from Iceland, and completed a counter-drug deployment to the Caribbean and South America. Captain Reed commanded Task Groups 72.2 and 57.2 responsible for maritime patrol aviation forces supporting operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Korean Peninsula, the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf.

Other assignments include Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 5, Brunswick, Maine; Fleet Replacement Squadron (VP) 30 Instructor Pilot, Jacksonville, FL, the Joint Staff J3 reconnaissance operations division, and the National War College earning a Master’s degree in National Security Strategy.


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