Biography

Captain Russ Larratt earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from The George Washington University and received his commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1990.  He was designated a Naval Aviator on June 4, 1993 at NAS Meridian, Mississippi.

Captain Larratt reported to the Shadowhawks of VAQ-141 in October 1994.  While assigned to VAQ-141 and Carrier Air Wing 8, Captain Larratt deployed aboard the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) in 1995 and the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) in 1997.  During these two deployments, he participated in Operations Deny Flight, Deliberate Force, and Southern Watch, flying 52 combat missions. 

In August 1997, Captain Larratt reported to NAS Meridian, Mississippi as a flight instructor with the Strike Eagles of VT-7.  During his tour with the VT-7, he served as Carrier Qualification Standardization Officer.  In December 2000, Captain Larratt reported to the Star Warriors of VAQ-209 at Andrews Air Force Base, Camp Springs, Maryland.  During his tour with the Star Warriors, he served as Assistant Safety Officer and Quality Assurance Officer, deploying to Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in support of Operation Southern Watch. 

Captain Larratt returned to NAS Meridian in 2002, serving again with VT-7 before joining the Training Air Wing ONE staff and serving as Training Air Wing ONE Reserve Component OIC from August 2003 to July 2005.  In August 2005, Captain Larratt reported to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he earned a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.  In July 2006, he took command of Navy Reserve Center, Miami.  Following his command tour, Captain Larratt reported to Fleet Readiness Center, Southeast in August 2008, where he served as the Corporate Operations Officer and the Production Support Officer while earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Florida.  In June 2011, Captain Larratt took command of Navy Reserve Center, North Island.  Captain Larratt reported for his final tour of duty to Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve, in July 2013 and served as the Deputy Commander and Executive Assistant.Captain Larratt retired in September 2014 and lives with his family in Coronado, California.  He is a Captain for United Airlines, flying the 757 and 767 out of Los Angeles International Airport.

Captain Larratt has accumulated over 3,400 flight hours in various naval aircraft and over 360 carrier landings.  In addition to various campaign and service decorations, Captain Larratt has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), the Air Medal (2 awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards).  He is married to the former Alexandra Ilnyckyj of Crystal River, Florida.  They have a daughter, Katie Larratt (26), and two sons, LT Michael Larratt (29), and LTJG Andrew Larratt (24).