Commander Steve Leehe
Commanding Officer
Commander Steve Leehe grew up in northern Wisconsin. In May 1982, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a Field Communications Technician serving in Camp Lejeune, NC, and Okinawa, Japan. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal in May 1986.
In January 1987, he enlisted in the Navy. Following AT A school, he completed tours in VQ-1 and HC-5 at NAS Agana, Guam deploying aboard USS San Jose (AFS-7) in support of Operation Desert Storm and Southern Watch. He was promoted to AT2 in Dec 1988 and AT1 in Dec 1991. In July 1993, he reported to Bluefield State College, WV, participating in the Enlisted Education Advancement Program. In May 1995, he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering Technology.
Following college, he reported to HSL-40 at Mayport, FL, as the AV/ARM Division LPO. In July 1996, he was selected for Chief Petty Officer and the Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer program. He chose AMDO and reported to Officer Candidate School in August 1996. In March, 1997, ENS Leehe reported to VFA-97 in Lemoore, CA. In 1998, he deployed with CVW-11 on USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) in support of Operations Desert Fox and Southern Watch.
In January 2000, he returned to HSL-40 as Assistant Maintenance Officer. In 2002, he was awarded the Commander, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Wing Light, Atlantic Fleet, Maintenance Officer of the Year Award and received his Master’s in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle University.
In October 2002, LT Leehe reported to USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) as IM-3 Officer in Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD). While deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he received the 2004 Navy-Marine Corps Leadership award as the top junior officer on Big John.
Following his tour on JFK, LT Leehe reported to Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Atlantic Fleet, (CHSMWL) as Readiness Officer supporting 83 SH-60B Seahawk helicopters deployed aboard surface combatant ships in Atlantic Fleet. In August 2005, following Hurricane Katrina LT Leehe embarked on USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75) as CVW-3 Helicopter Element Commander Maintenance Officer leading a consolidated maintenance team of 250 technicians and 28 H-60 helicopters supporting rescue and relief operations in New Orleans and Mississippi. He was promoted to LCDR in November 2005.
In November 2006, LCDR Leehe volunteered as an Individual Augmentee (IA) serving as Admin Officer to NAVCENT Det. Kuwait and Iraq. His detachment was responsible for receiving, transferring, paying, and training all Navy IA’s deploying into or out of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Horn of Africa.
In July 2007, he assumed the duties of Officer-In-Charge, Pre-Establishment Unit HSM-70; the first MH-60R squadron in the Atlantic Fleet. In April 2008, CHSMWL Commodore ordered LCDR Leehe to return to HSL-40 as the squadron Maintenance Officer, the first non-pilot to hold that position. He was named HSL-40’s Officer of the Year in 2008.
In December 2009, LCDR Leehe reported as AIMD Officer onboard USS NASSAU (LHA-4), completing a 5th Fleet deployment with 24 MEU/VMM-162(REIN) supporting 29 aircraft including the Marine Corps’ newest, the MV-22 Osprey. Upon return to homeport in August 2010, he coordinated the decommissioning of NASSAU.
In May 2011, LCDR Leehe reported to Commander, Strike Fighter Wing, Atlantic Fleet, as Assistant Maintenance Officer, supporting Manpower and Training requirements for 17 Strike Fighter squadrons and over 3500 personnel. He was promoted to CDR in February, 2012, and reported as AIMD Officer to USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) in June, 2012.
While serving as AIMD Officer, CDR Leehe led his department in rebuilding the ship’s AIMD facilities and programs after four years of dormancy in Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH). TR sailed out of Newport News immediately receiving flight deck certification and embarking Carrier Air Wing ONE supporting air wing carrier qualifications.
In July 2014, he reported to Logistics and Industrial Operations, AIR 6.0, where he served as H-60 Assistant Program Manager for Logistics at PMA-299.
In June 2016, CDR Leehe was selected as the next Commanding Officer of Fleet Readiness Center West, in NAS Lemoore, CA. He assumed command in June 2016. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (3), Joint Services Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (5), Navy Achievement Medal (7), Navy Good Conduct Medal (2), and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.