FBI recognizes former NAS Pensacola commander Kinsella for leadership during terror attack

Benjamin Johnson, Pensacola News Journal
·3 min read
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Ten months after now retired Navy Capt. Tim "Lucky" Kinsella Jr. handed over the reins as commanding officer of NAS Pensacola, the FBI is recognizing him with an award for his work in the community before, during and after the 2019 terrorist attack on base.

On Monday, Kinsella will receive the 2021 FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, which is "presented annually to select individuals and organizations that assist the FBI in reducing and preventing criminal activity."

"Personally, it's a huge honor," Kinsella told the News Journal. "It's something I never had on my radar."

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Capt. Tim Kinsella, then commanding officer of NAS Pensacola, speaks before the Blue Angels do a flyover in Pensacola on Sept. 25, 2020, to lift spirits in the community after Hurricane Sally. Kinsella, who has since retired, will receive the 2021 FBI Director's Community Leadership Award for his work in the community in the wake of the 2019 terrorist attack on the base.

On Dec. 6, 2019, a Saudi Royal Air Force second lieutenant shot and killed three people and wounded eight others before he was killed by a sheriff's deputy. In the days after the deadly shooting, Kinsella worked with the FBI to allay fears and concerns of the Pensacola community, leading to his award.

"The days, weeks, months following that, that was always at the forefront of my mind: what do people need, how do we get back to normal and how do we ensure peoples' needs are being met," Kinsella said. "This community has a great sense of pride in their relationship they've had with NAS Pensacola."

Kinsella served more than 33 years in the U.S. Navy. His last active duty assignment as commanding officer of NAS Pensacola saw him leading the installation through the terrorist attack, the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Sally and a global pandemic.

As Kinsella has transitioned into the civilian world, he's continued to serve the local community.

Currently, he is heading the transition team of Mayor-elect D.C. Reeves. The volunteer team will help the new mayor establish the city's priorities and develop a strategic vision for Pensacola's future in 12 focus areas such as safety, housing and jobs.

Capt. Tim Kinsella, then the commanding officer of NAS Pensacola, packs up his personal items Jan. 6 as he prepares to turn over the office to Capt. Terrence Shashaty. Kinsella will receive the 2021 FBI Director's Community Leadership Award for his work in the community in the wake of the 2019 terrorist attack on the base.
Capt. Tim Kinsella, then the commanding officer of NAS Pensacola, packs up his personal items Jan. 6 as he prepares to turn over the office to Capt. Terrence Shashaty. Kinsella will receive the 2021 FBI Director's Community Leadership Award for his work in the community in the wake of the 2019 terrorist attack on the base.

Additionally, the University of West Florida has tapped Kinsella to lead the establishment of its new Center for Leadership, which will build relationships between the university and the business-industry, as well as create leadership development programs for the university and community.

Discussing his career, Kinsella said he is particularly proud of his work promoting scientific learning among elementary students in the community, specifically by helping reestablish the STARBASE program at NAS Pensacola.

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Improving education: Every Escambia County fifth-grader will attend STARBASE at NAS Pensacola. How it works:

The Science Technology Academies Reinforcing Basic Aviation Space Exploration program offers a 25-hour STEM education to fifth-grade students, providing kids the opportunity to travel to the Navy base.

"Kids who have been through STARBASE had about a 14% test score increase," he said. "We've managed to get a 23% increase in STEM test scores with kids who have been through that, so it's a pretty big deal for our community."

Shortly after taking leadership of the base, Kinsella ruffled feathers when he publicly noted the quality of Escambia County schools was deterring military families from taking assignments in the Pensacola area.

Kinsella said the STARBASE program was a way to "put my money where my mouth was" by tethering the base with the community to improve education in the area.

"I can't just complain about (education), I gotta do something about it," he said. "This was a really important part of those community ties to help improve education for everybody."

FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Sherri E. Onks will host Kinsella's private ceremony, providing him with the DCLA.

Benjamin Johnson can be reached at bjohnson@pnj.com or 850-435-8578

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: FBI Director's Community Leadership Award goes to Tim Kinsella