Col. Frederick G. Schenk assumed his current position as the AV-8B Weapon Systems Program Manager in June 2014.
Schenk was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on Dec. 29, 1969. He graduated from Cedarburg High School in Cedarburg, Wis., in 1988, and the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
After graduation from The Basic School, Schenk was transferred to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Fla., and subsequently NAS Meridian, Miss., where he was designated a Naval Aviator on April 7, 1995. In June 1995 Schenk reported to Marine Attack Training Squadron (VMAT) 203, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. for training in the AV-8B Harrier. In September 1996 Schenk joined Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 231 and deployed on USS Wasp from February to June 1998 with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 264 (Rein) and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
In August 1999 Schenk was transferred to Quantico, Va., where he was a student at the Amphibious Warfare School. Graduating in May 2000 Schenk received orders back to VMA-231 in Cherry Point, N.C. He deployed on USS Nassau from September to December 2002 with HMM-263 (Rein) and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
In January 2003 Schenk was transferred to the United States Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, Md., Class 124. He graduated in December 2003 and was assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two-Three (VX-23) as the Short Take-off Vertical Landing (STOVL) project pilot for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
In May 2007 Schenk was transferred to the Naval Aviation Training Systems Program Office (PMA-205) as the Department Head for all Marine Corps Aviation Training Systems. He was responsible for coordinating the acquisition efforts of nine different integrated product teams utilizing common solutions and best practices across the entire spectrum of the training continuum.
Schenk was transferred back to VX-23 in November 2008 as the Government Flight Test Director for the F-35 Integrated Test Force. He was responsible for a combined Government / contractor team of more than 750 people and eight F-35B/C aircraft.
In July 2012 Schenk was transferred to the Industrial College of the Armed forces earning a Master of Science degree in National Security and Resource Strategy. In July 2013 he was transferred to the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265) and served as the F/A-18A-D Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) integrated program team lead.
Schenk’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal.