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Stephen Mankins

Executive Officer - RTAG Central

27 February 2025
RTAG Central
CDR Stephen Mankins is a native of Wichita, Kansas and received his commission at the United States Naval Academy in May of 2008.
RTAG Central
CDR Stephen Mankins
CDR Stephen Mankins is a native of Wichita, Kansas and received his commission at the United States Naval Academy in May of 2008.
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Photo By: John Griffiths
VIRIN: 250131-N-HS670-2410

CDR Stephen Mankins is a native of Wichita, Kansas and received his commission at the United States Naval Academy in May of 2008.  He was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 2010.  Upon graduation from flight school, he joined the VAQ-129 “Vikings” for initial training in the EA-18G Growler.

His sea duty tours included serving with the expeditionary EA-18G squadron, VAQ-135 “World Famous Black Ravens” and deploying to the USCENTCOM AOR supporting Operation Enduring Freedom combat operations in Bagram, Afghanistan in 2012.  Serving as Training Officer with VAQ-139 “Cougars” he deployed to the USCENTCOM and USINDOPACOM AORs aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in 2018.  With the expeditionary, reserve EA-18G squadron, “Star Warriors” of VAQ-209, he deployed twice to the USINDOPACOM AOR in 2020 and 2022.

His shore tours included the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC) as a Grower Tactics Instructor, the EA-18G Mission Planning subject matter expert and lead EA-18G COCOM mission planner from 2014-2018. He served as Reserve Program Director and Manpower Officer at Tactical Support Wing in Fort Worth, TX from 2022-2024.  He reported to RTAG Central as Executive Officer in January 2025.

He has flown over 42 combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve and accumulated nearly 2,300 hours of flight time. CDR Mankins personal awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), along with numerous other campaign and unit awards.