VF-14 Tophatters - Commanding Officer

BIOGRAPHY :

Commander Luke R. Parent, a native of Marquette, Michigan, graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. He received a commission through the AOCS program in May 1980 and was designated a Naval Aviator in November 1981.

He was selected to flight instructor duty and assigned to Training Squadron 23 in Kingsville, Texas, until June 1983. After a short tour with Fleet Support Logistics Squadron 40 flying the CT-39E, he completed replacement training in the F-14A TOMCAT at Fighter

Squadron 101. Commander Parent’s next assignment was with the "STARFIGHTERS" of Fighter Squadron 33 where he made one Mediterranean deployment aboard USS AMERICA (CV 66). During the deployment, he flew missions in support of the April 1986 strikes against Libya. He served as a Line Division Officer, Pilot Training Officer, and Quality Assurance Officer, and graduated from the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).

In December 1988 he reported to Fighter Squadron 101 for instructor duty in the F-14 TOMCAT. During that tour he served concurrently as the Assistant Operations Officer, Standardization Officer and Commander, Fighter Wing Atlantic, Flight Demonstrator Pilot/Coordinator flying the F-14B. HE was selected as the 1990 Fighter Squadron 101 "Instructor Pilot of the Year".

In December 1990, Commander Parent reported to the "DIAMONDBACKS" of Fighter Squadron 102 where he was assigned as the Administrative Officer, Assistant Operations Officer and the Maintenance Officer. During this tour, he made a North Atlantic and two Mediterranean/Red Sea/Arabian Gulf deployments aboard USS AMERICA (CV 66), where he flew combat missions in support of Operation Desert Storm. In July 1993 he reported to U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he served as Space Operations Officer and Mission Director in the NORAD/USSPACECOM Command Center at Cheyenne Mountain Air Station.

Commander Parent reported in April 1996 to the "TOPHATTERS" of Fighter Squadron FOURTEEN as Executive Officer. He has accumulated over 4000 hours and over 620 carrier landings. Has awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (2 Strike/Flight and individual with Combat "V"), Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards, one with Combat "V") and several campaign and unit awards. Under his command the Tophatters of Fighting Fourteen won some of the most prestigious Navy trophies and awards (AIRLANT Battle "E", Admiral Clifton Award, Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy and many others) and made their mark as an elite naval Fighter squadron.

On November 06th 1998, CDR Parent passed on command of the Fighting Fourteen to CDR Ted Carter.

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CDR LUKE R. PARENT Former Commanding Officer Fighter Squadron Fourteen

CDR LUKE R. PARENT
Former Commanding Officer
Fighter Squadron Fourteen