Robert C. Ballard Jr.
Commanding Officer - NTAG Empire State
06 April 2022
Commander Ballard grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana and graduated from Purdue University in 2003, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He reported to Officer Candidate School at NAS Pensacola in February of 2005. Upon Commissioning he began flight training in Pensacola at Training Squadron Four and the 562nd Flying Training Squadron in San Antonio, Texas. In February of 2007 he earned his Naval Flight Officer Wings of Gold and selected the EP-3E Aries as his primary platform.
Commander Ballard reported in October of 2007 to the “Rangers” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO (VQ-2) at NAS Whidbey Island, WA where he served as the Assistant Operations Officer, Assistant NFO NATOPS Instructor, and EP-3E Electronic Warfare Mission Commander. He deployed on multiple occasions to the CENTCOM, EUCOM, and SOUTHCOM AORs.
In October 2010, Commander Ballard completed the F/A-18F Super Hornet Weapon System Operator (WSO) syllabus and reported to the “Vampires” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE (VX-9). He was assigned to VX-9 Detachment Nellis in Las Vegas, NV where he served as an Operational Test Director for all Naval Aviation Enterprise test events at the Nevada Test and Training Range. Commander Ballard was also invited to attend the EP-3E Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course where he earned his Level 500 “Patch”.
In August of 2013, Commander Ballard reported to the “Wizards” of Patrol Squadron Special Projects TWO (VPU-2) at MCBH Kaneohe Bay, HI, where he served as a P-3 Special Projects Mission Commander and Sensor Coordinator augmenting deployed forces in the AFRICOM, EUCOM, INDOPACOM, and CENTCOM AORs. His duties included Assistant NATOPS Officer, Assistant Training Officer, and NFO NATOPS Evaluator.
Commander Ballard returned to NAS Whidbey Island, WA in February of 2017, as an Aviation Department Head with the World Watchers of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE (VQ-1). While assigned to VQ-1 he deployed as a Detachment Officer-in-Charge (OIC) to EUCOM, CENTCOM and INDOPACOM and served as Safety/NATOPS Officer, and Operations Officer.
Commander Ballard reported in July of 2019 to the 1st Joint Special Operations Air Component (1st JSOAC) at Fort Bragg, NC. As the Chief of Current Operations for Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Directorate, he was responsible for organizing and executing Airborne ISR Operations against time-sensitive targets in multiple Joint Operating Environments around the globe. He deployed to the CENTCOM and AFRICOM AORs numerous times as an Airborne ISR Battle Captain and as a Joint Special Operations Air Detachment OIC.
Commander Ballard reported to Navy Talent Acquisition Group Empire State as the Executive Officer in November 2021 and then assumed command in June 2023.
Over his career he has completed 19 detachments/deployments, accumulated over 3,000 flight hours in seven different naval aircraft, and earned a Masters of Diplomacy from Norwich University. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Air Medals (Strike/Flight), Joint Commendation Medal (with “C” device), two Navy Commendation Medals, Air Force Commendation Medal, three Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various campaign, service, and unit awards.
Commander Ballard has been married to his wife, Brandie, for ten years. They have two daughters, Kennedy and Evelyn, and a dog named LTJG Nick “Goose” Bradshaw.