LCDR Alan A. Patterson (USNA '00)
Lieutenant Commander Alan A. Patterson was one of three people killed on March 11, 2013 when a training flight for an E/A-6B Prowler crashed just outside of Spokane, Washington. LCDR Patterson had wanted to go to the Naval Academy since he first saw a midshipman in uniform in sixth grade, a dream he fulfilled by graduating with the Naval Academy Class of 2000. In 2005 and 2006 he deployed with the “Shadowhawks” of VAQ-141 onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over his impressive flying career in the EA-6B Prowler community, he earned the Strike/Flight Medal four times over, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal three times over, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various campaign awards.
LCDR Patterson is survived by his five brothers and sisters, his parents, as well as his wife and two young daughters. Patterson was a determined and optimistic person, who persevered as a cellist, Lacrosse player, and triathlete during his lifetime.
“He was the kind of guy you hope you become and you hope your sons become,” said brother Craig Patterson, who followed in his older sibling’s footsteps at the Naval Academy.
Lieutenant Commander Alan A. Patterson was one of three people killed on March 11, 2013 when a training flight for an E/A-6B Prowler crashed just outside of Spokane, Washington. LCDR Patterson had wanted to go to the Naval Academy since he first saw a midshipman in uniform in sixth grade, a dream he fulfilled by graduating with the Naval Academy Class of 2000. In 2005 and 2006 he deployed with the “Shadowhawks” of VAQ-141 onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over his impressive flying career in the EA-6B Prowler community, he earned the Strike/Flight Medal four times over, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal three times over, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various campaign awards.
LCDR Patterson is survived by his five brothers and sisters, his parents, as well as his wife and two young daughters. Patterson was a determined and optimistic person, who persevered as a cellist, Lacrosse player, and triathlete during his lifetime.
“He was the kind of guy you hope you become and you hope your sons become,” said brother Craig Patterson, who followed in his older sibling’s footsteps at the Naval Academy.
Lieutenant Commander Alan A. Patterson was one of three people killed on March 11, 2013 when a training flight for an E/A-6B Prowler crashed just outside of Spokane, Washington. LCDR Patterson had wanted to go to the Naval Academy since he first saw a midshipman in uniform in sixth grade, a dream he fulfilled by graduating with the Naval Academy Class of 2000. In 2005 and 2006 he deployed with the “Shadowhawks” of VAQ-141 onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over his impressive flying career in the EA-6B Prowler community, he earned the Strike/Flight Medal four times over, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal three times over, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various campaign awards.
LCDR Patterson is survived by his five brothers and sisters, his parents, as well as his wife and two young daughters. Patterson was a determined and optimistic person, who persevered as a cellist, Lacrosse player, and triathlete during his lifetime.
“He was the kind of guy you hope you become and you hope your sons become,” said brother Craig Patterson, who followed in his older sibling’s footsteps at the Naval Academy.
From Alan’s obituary:
Lt. Cmdr. Alan A. Patterson is survived by his wife, the former Denise Schabener of Warminster, Pa. and his two children.
Patterson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in May 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in French.
Following commissioning, Patterson reported to Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla. for flight training. He completed primary and intermediate training with Training Squadron 4 and continued advanced strike training with Training Squadron 86.
Patterson was designated a naval flight officer in April 2002, and was selected for follow-on training in the EA-6B Prowler for VAQ-129 at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. After completion of Fleet Replacement ECMO training, Patterson reported to the “Shadowhawks” of VAQ-141. While aboard VAQ-141, Patterson was the first lieutenant, aircraft division officer and assistant operations officer.
In 2005 and 2006, Patterson deployed with VAQ-141 onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In August of 2006, he reported to VAQ-129 for his EA-6B Prowler Fleet Replacement Squadron instructor tour. During his instructor tour, Patterson was a carrier qualification ECMO, the crew resource management program coordinator, and NATOPS instructor in addition to EA-6B systems instructor, schedules officer, student control officer and fleet accessions officer.
In November of 2009, Patterson joined Carrier Air Wing 7 staff during workups for deployment operations. In January 2010, he deployed with Carrier Air Wing 7 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. During his tenure with the air wing, Patterson was the current operations officer and electronic warfare officer where he developed, coordinated, and oversaw the execution of operational tasking of the seven tenant squadrons.
In January of 2011, Patterson was selected to serve as flag secretary to Commander, Carrier Strike Group 8 where he managed the administrative responsibilities of more than twenty tenant commands in addition to duties directly for the commander.
Patterson then reported to the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. where he earned a master’s degree in national security and strategic study.
In December of 2012 he once again checked into VAQ-129 for instructor duty in the EA-6B Prowler, serving as the operations officer.
Patterson achieved a highly successful flying career in the EA-6B Prowler community, with an impressive carrier and combat career in direct support of OIF/OEF ground units. His personal awards include the Strike/Flight Air Medal (4), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various campaign and unit awards.
