3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Major Benbow attended the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.  Upon graduation, she was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.  After completing The Basic School, Second Lieutenant Benbow reported to MATSG-21 in Pensacola, FL for flight training.  She was designated a Naval Aviator on 27 October 2006.  Subsequently, she reported to HMLA/T-303, MCAS Camp Pendleton for training in the UH-1N.

In April 2007, First Lieutenant Benbow reported to HMLA-169, MAG-39 and served in the Operations Department.  She deployed to Al Taqaddum, Iraq in support of OIF 06-08 from October 2007 until May 2008.  Upon return, she was promoted to Captain and joined the Department of Safety and Standardization.  Captain Benbow deployed to Al Asad, Iraq as the Director of Safety and Standardization for HMLA-169 (Det A) from April 2009 until July 2009.  She then rejoined the main body of HMLA-169 as the UH-1N NATOPS Officer in support of OEF in Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan from July 2009 until November 2009.  Captain Benbow completed her transition syllabus and was designated a UH-1Y pilot in March 2010.  She deployed again in support of OEF from November 2010 until March 2011 to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan as the UH Quality Assurance Officer, then Quality Assurance Division Officer in Charge.

Captain Benbow transferred to MATSG-21 in Pensacola, FL in September 2011.  She served as an Advanced Helicopter Instructor Pilot with Helicopter Training Squadron-28 at South Whiting Field, logging over 1,000 mishap free flight hours.  She served as the Squadron Formation and Search and Rescue Standardization Officer, Chief of Naval Air Training Search and Rescue Stage Manager, Instrument Check Pilot, and Standardization Department Head.  During this time Major Benbow completed a Master’s of Business Administration degree program through Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.  Major Benbow completed her tour in April 2015 and transferred to her current position as the MWSS-373 Executive Officer.

Major Benbow has logged over 2500 mishap free flight hours.  Her aircraft designations and qualifications include Functional Check Pilot, Night Systems Instructor, Instrument Check Pilot, and Airline Transport Pilot.  Her personal awards include Air Medal Strike/Flight with numeral “13” and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.