Captain Rick Vanden Heuvel, a native of Farmington, Michigan, graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Public Affairs in 1980. In December 1982 he received his commission from Aviation Officer Candidate School and entered initial flight training in Pensacola, Florida. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer in March 1984.

CAPT Vanden Heuvel flew the E-2C Hawkeye during sea assignments during his junior officer and department head tours in VAW-121 aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) (1984-87), and USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) (1994-96). He has had 3 ship company Sea Tours; two aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) as Asst. Air Operations Officer (1990-92) during which time he earned his Surface Warfare Designation; and as Operations Officer (2003-05). He has also been assigned to USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) (1999-00) as Combat Direction Center Officer during combat Operations for Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.

CAPT Vanden Heuvel commanded the SCREWTOPS of VAW-123 in 2001-03, deploying aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) after Sept 11, 2001 leading the squadron during combat operations for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan.

CAPT Vanden Heuvel's shore assignments include the Defense Intelligence Agency assigned to the Alternate National Military Command Center (1987-88), Intelligence Planner on the Joint Chiefs of Staff coordinating Intelligence support to the Operations Directorate (J-3) (1988-90), VAW-120 Training Department Head and Flight Instructor (1990-92) and Airborne Early Warning Wing Chief of Staff (1996-98).

CAPT Vanden Heuvel was most recently assigned as the Deputy Director for Strategy and Policy, Commander Naval Forces Europe and US Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy planning, conducting and supporting naval operations in Europe and Africa.

CAPT Vanden Heuvel holds a Master of Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (1988) and earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College (1998). CAPT Vanden Heuvel was also selected as a Harvard University National Strategic Fellow with the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs (2005-6).

CAPT Vanden Heuvel has over 3100 flight hours and over 600 arrested landings. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), the Strike/flight Air Medal (4 awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), the Navy Achievement Medal and various unit awards.