Captain Ed McNamee comes from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and is a graduate of Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C. He was commissioned a naval officer through the Aviation Officer Candidate (AOC) program in January 1979 and designated a naval aviator in February 1980.

In August 1980, upon completion of training in the SH-3H "Sea King" at Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 1, he reported to Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 15 embarked in USS Independence (CV 62) with Carrier Air Wing 6, where he completed two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean.

Follow-on operational assignments included tours with the "Nighthawks" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 16 (1986-1988) as safety department head; the "Fleet Angels" of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 1 (1990-1991) as officer-in-charge of Detachment 3 during Operations Desert Shield and Storm while embarked in USS Tripoli (LPH-10), USS Tarawa (LHA-1) and USS Ogden (LPD-5), providing night search-and-rescue services to Commander, Amphibious Group 3 and the embarked Marine Expeditionary Brigade; and with Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 8 (1991-1993) as the operations department head.

In December 1995, Capt. McNamee was assigned as executive officer for the "Chargers" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 14, embarked in USS Independence with Carrier Air Wing 5 in Atsugi, Japan. In March 1997, Capt. McNamee took command of the "Chargers." During that tour, his squadron completed two deployments, participated in Exercises Southern Swing and Foal Eagle, Operation Desert Fox, and was awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award.

He reported to USS Wasp (LHD 1) as executive officer in November 2000. In February 2002, assumed command of USS Wasp and one week after taking command, deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During his command, Wasp was awarded the Admiral Flatley Award, the SECNAV Safety Excellence Award, and its second consecutive Battle "E."

Captain McNamee's significant shore assignments include: instructor pilot duty at Helicopter Training Squadron 406 (HT-406) at Canadian Forces Base Shearwater, Nova Scotia; Secretary of the Joint Staff for the Commander, U.S. Central Command; and assignment to the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations with the Director of Assessments (OPNAV N81).

Captain McNamee earned his bachelor's degree in business and finance, a master's degree in national security affairs and strategic studies from the Naval War College, and is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College. He has accumulated more than 4,500 flight hours in various military aircraft.

Captain McNamee's awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Air Medal with Strike/Flight award, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal and several other personal, unit and expeditionary awards.