VT-27 Leadership

Executive Officer

A native of North Platte, Nebraska, Commander Younghans graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May of 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering. After commissioning, he reported in October 2006 to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in January 2008 in Corpus Christi, TX.

CDR Younghans reported to Patrol Squadron (VP) 30 in Jacksonville, Florida, for initial training as a P-3C Orion pilot. He began operational flying in September 2008 with the "World Watchers" of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1 in Whidbey Island, WA, and served as the training officer and pilot primary NATOPS officer. He conducted five combat and two sensitive reconnaissance operations detachments, deploying as an EP-3E Aires II aircraft and mission commander in the 5th, 6th, and 7th fleet area of operations (AOR) and was named the VQ-1 Pilot of the Year for 2011.

He reported in February 2012 to Corpus Christi, TX for duty as a T-44A/C instructor pilot with the "Wise Owls" of Training Squadron (VT) 31. He served as the winging coordinator, training officer, standardization officer, flight instructor training unit (FITU) and NATOPS instructor.

He reported for his disassociated sea duty tour in October 2015 with the "Wizards" of Patrol Squadron Special Projects Unit (VPU) 2 in Kaneohe Bay, HI. While transferring, he completed Aviation Safety Officer and Crew Resource Management Instructor schools. He served as the safety officer, maintenance quality assurance officer and special mission aircraft instructor and mission commander in the SP-3. He conducted six combat detachments to various locations in the 5th fleet AOR.

He was selected for re-designation as a Training and Administration of the Reserves (TAR) officer in the fall 2016. He subsequently reported to the "Stingrays" of VT-35, returning in November of 2017 to Corpus Christi, TX. During his department head tour, he served as reserve department head, operations officer and T-44C FITU Officer in Charge.

He reported in June 2020 to Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve (CNAFR) in Norfolk as the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) program manager. CDR Younghans was selected for squadron command in March 2022 and is scheduled to report to VT-27 as Executive Officer in May 2023.

CDR Younghans has accumulated over 4,750 mishap-free flight hours in Naval Aircraft, including 262 combat missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Inherent Resolve and New Dawn. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (8 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), and other various service, campaign and unit awards.