Lt. Col. Dennis McKernan
 | Lieutenant Colonel Dennis J. McKernan is a native of Haddon Township, New Jersey. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point New York in 1991 and was commission a Second Lieutenant in Aviation. In 1993, LTC McKernan was assigned as an Attack Platoon Leader with A/4-501st AVN (ATK) at Camp Page, Korea. Additionally he served as an Attack Liaison Officer. In 1994, LTC McKernan graduated from the UH-60 Aircraft Qualification Course and was assigned as an Assault Platoon Leader with A/3-25 AVN at Fort Drum, NY. As a Platoon Leader, LTC McKernan participated in Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. While at Fort Drum, LTC McKernan served as an assistant S3 and as a company commander for B/2-10. AVN (MOUNTAINHAWKS). LTC McKernan was assigned to the 159th Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in 1998 as the Brigade Training Officer. In April 2000, LTC McKernan assumed command of B/5-101 AVN (LANCER) where he deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Stabilization Forces 8. In July 2001, LTC McKernan was assigned to the 2-309th Training Support Battalion at Ft. Dix, New Jersey as the Aviation Team Chief. |
In 2004, LTC McKernan was assigned as an assistant S3 to the 18th Aviation Brigade and deployed to Iraq in support of OIF 3. During this deployment, LTC McKernan assumed duties as the S3 to the 1-159th Command Aviation Battalion. Following redeployment, In 2006 LTC McKernan assumed the duties as the 82nd CAB Executive Officer and deployed with the Brigade to Afghanistan in 2007. Upon redeployment in 2008, LTC McKernan moved to Fort Drum, NY and commanded the Rear Detachment of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade. LTC McKernan currently holds command of the TF Phoenix, 3rd Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade (GSAB). 3-10 GSAB deployed to Afghanistan on 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 10.
LTC McKernan’s military education includes the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course, the Aviation Officer Basic Course, the Marine Amphibious Warfare School, the Combined Arms Services Staff School and the Command and General Staff College. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science in Human Factors Engineering from the United States Military Academy, 1991 and a Master of Science in Management from the Florida Institute of Technology, 2003
LTC McKernan’s awards and decorations include: Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Air Medal Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO medal, Combat Action Badge, Army Senior Aviator Badge, Airborne Badge and Air Assault Badge.LTC McKernan and his wife Suzanne have two daughters, Shayne, age 10, and Sydney, age 8.
