He is best known for having more traps than any other pilot in Naval History, but is also an aviation photographer of note. I think he is now the president of Sun N' Fun (For you aviation enthusiasts out there)
He was a great guy. Treated us lowly plane captains like men, not serfs. Was respectful, and conscientious. He did his walk arounds with a fine tooth comb, really paid attention. My overriding memory of him was as a LT wearing a bright orange flight suit, something he was entitled to do after one of the many programs he was involved in, I forget what it was.
Captain John R. “Lites” Leenhouts
By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette
Captain John “Lites” Leenhouts was born in Bryan, Texas and has resided in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Utah, and Illinois. After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1973, John entered the Navy as an Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate Program. He was commissioned as an Ensign in March 1974 and was designated a Naval Aviator on August 22, 1975 at NAS Kingsville, Texas.
Following flight training, John reported to VA-174 for A-7B training and then to VA-46 for duty. During his first tour he completed three deployments aboard the carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), and the initial shakedown of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). He became the First Fleet Landing Signal Officer (LSO) to cross-train in the F-14 and fly it concurrently with the A-7. Captain Leenhouts returned to the “Hellrazers” of VA-174 as an instructor pilot and LSO. In January 1982, he joined Carrier Air Wing One as the Staff Landing Signal Officer, flying the A-7E with VA-72 and the F-14A with VF-102 aboard the USS America (CV-66).
Upon completion of an accident-free CAG Landing Signal Officer tour, Captain Leenhouts was selected to be the Naval Air Atlantic Fleet Landing Signal Officer from December 1983 until December 1985. As an Operational Readiness Evaluator, he flew with every East Coast Fighter and Light Attack squadron from every carrier in the Second Fleet. Returning to sea duty, Captain Leenhouts was assigned a second tour with VA-46 as a department head, again deploying on the USS America and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. In August 1988, Captain Leenhouts surpassed 3000 Corsair hours and achieved 1000 arrested landings as a Lieutenant Commander. Following duties on the Light Attack Wing One readiness staff, he was assigned as Attack Squadron 72 Executive Officer in June 1989, deploying to the Red Sea aboard the USS Kennedy in support of “Operation Desert Shield”.
Commander Leenhouts flying the above A-7 led the first strike from the USS Kennedy on January 17, 1991 at 2:00A.M. in the opening minutes of the first war against Iraq. During “Operation Desert Storm”, Commander Leenhouts accumulated over 100 combat hours in 24 missions leading strikes into Iraq and Kuwait. After the war Commander Leenhouts reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 136 in December 1991 as Executive Officer. He assumed command of the “Knighthawks” in March 1993. Following his command tour, Captain Leenhouts attended the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base graduating in 1995. He then became Deputy Director of Operations for the Joint Task Force Southwest Asia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from August through December 1995. In February 1996 he reported to Battle Force Seventh Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan, as the Operations Officer and deployed to the Far East aboard the USS Independence (CV-62). Captain Leenhouts returned to the United States in February 1997 and assumed command of Strike-Fighter Wing, Atlantic in April 1997.
With 10 major deployments to his credit, Captain Leenhouts has logged over 8000 hours piloting more than 35 different types of military, antique, and civilian aircraft. He has become the all time leading Carrier Aviator, having accumulated 1645 traps on 16 different aircraft carriers. Additionally, Captain Leenhouts has exceeded 10,000 aerial photographs with many of his images published worldwide. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Individual Air Medal with Combat “V” (four awards), two Strike Flight Air Medals with Combat “V”, Joint Service Commendation Medal. Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” (two awards). Captain Leenhouts retired n January 2001 after twenty-eight years of adventurous sea service.
