NAVAIR

Born on Flag Day in Philadelphia, Pa., Capt. Fred Hepler enlisted during his senior year of high school and reported to active duty on June 23, 1976. After graduating from Boot Camp, he attended Avionics "A" and Advanced First Term Avionics School. His avionics technician assignments included: HM-12, VAW-124 and USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

He served as an enlisted Detailer at the Bureau of Naval Personnel and was initiated to the rank of Chief Petty Officer on Sept. 16, 1984. Hepler received his commission as an Avionics Limited Duty Officer (LDO) Ensign on July 1, 1986. His LDO assignments included: USS Enterprise (CVN 65); Naval Air Station Moffett Field and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).

After being selected as an Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officer (AMDO), he served as Support Equipment Logistics Officer and CV/CVW Readiness Officer at Commander Naval Air Force U. S. Pacific Fleet.

He served as Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) Officer in USS Peleliu (LHA 5) that included a deployment to East Timor, Indonesia that involved humanitarian services in support of Operation Stabilize.

His next assignment was at Naval Air Systems Command to serve as the AMDO Community Manager. His last operational tour was as AIMD Officer in USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) that included an around the world cruise that involved combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Hepler’s program office experience includes: Autonomic Logistics Systems Engineering Integration Team Lead for the F-35 Joint Program Office; Deputy Program Manager, Air Vehicle Systems for the F/A-18, EA-18G Program Office; and he assumed command as Program Manager for the Aviation Support Equipment Program Office on June 9, 2011.

During off duty hours, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master's in Business Administration from City University of Seattle. He attended the National Defense University (NDU) Industrial College of the Armed Forces and attained a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy. He completed the NDU Chief Information Officer Certificate Program with an Information Assurance concentration and the Defense Acquisition University PMT401 Program Manager’s Course and PMT402 Executive Program Manager’s Course.

A member of the Defense Acquisition Corps, Hepler is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) level III career field certified in Life Cycle Logistics, Production/Quality/Manufacturing, Program Management, Systems Planning Research, Development & Engineering - Science Technology Manager, and Test & Evaluation Engineering.

His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards) and Navy Achievement Medal (three awards) in addition to numerous unit and service awards.