NAVAIR

A native of Staten Island, N.Y., Capt. Tracy Barkhimer graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a U.S. Coast Guard Unlimited Tonnage, Any Ocean, Third Mates’ license. Upon graduation, she was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy.

After completing flight school, she reported to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) Three in San Diego for fleet replenishment training in the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter. She then reported to HC-11 in 1991, where she made two Western Pacific deployments with USS Wabash and USS Camden in support of operations Desert Storm and Restore Hope where she accumulated more than 60 hours of combat flight time in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Barkhimer was selected for the Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer (AEDO) Program in 1997 and reported to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., for the first of many assignments with Naval Air Systems Command. Her tours include duty as the V-22 Osprey Avionics Systems project officer; H-3 assistant program manager for Systems and Engineering; Assault Directed Infrared Countermeasures Integrated Product Team (IPT) lead; F/A-18 electro-optical/infra-red deputy IPT lead; Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems IPT lead; Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) Source Selection team member; and the deputy director for Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft International Programs.

Barkhimer also served as the MH-60S program integrator and government flight representative at Defense Contract Management Agency Sikorsky in Stratford, Conn., from October 2001 to October 2004. While there, she completed a Master of Science degree in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee and was recognized as the 2004 DCMA Outstanding Government Flight Representative.

In August 2006, she deployed as an individual augmentee to U.S. Central Command in Doha, Qatar, for seven months where she served as the team chief in the Joint Operations Center in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Barkhimer served as chief of staff to Program Executive Officer, Air ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs (PEO(A)) from August 2009 to April 2011. She assumed command of PMA-209, Air Combat Electronics on June 2, 2011.

Barkhimer’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for a single action.