Photo By Mass Communication Specialist Senior Chief Gary Ward
NORFOLK, Va. – A 2012 William Henry Harrison High School graduate and Lafayette, Indiana, native is serving at Expeditionary Combat Camera, as a member of the Navy’s last Combat Camera Unit in Norfolk, Virginia.
Kennedy’s most memorable combat camera mission was when he was able to go to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands ducumenting relief efforts after Hurricane Irma.
“It gave me a great sense of pride to help people in need,” Kennedy added.
Navy combat photography began its roots during World War I when the Navy organized its first photographic division to capture aerial reconnaissance photographs. During World War II, the Navy added Combat Photographic Units and sent them to the Pacific and European theaters of war to document major campaigns including Normandy and Iwo Jima.
After the onset of the Korean War, the Navy established the Pacific Fleet Combat Camera unit, and subsequently established the Atlantic Fleet Motion Picture Unit, which would become Atlantic Fleet Combat Camera Group in 1966 and deployed teams to document the war in Vietnam.
The unit became Expeditionary Combat Camera in 2010 and continued documenting all branches of the military during major U.S. conflicts, operations and exercises.
Kennedy credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Lafayette.
“Growing up I've experienced many other cultures and moved around a lot," Kennedy said. "This flexibility gave me a good foundation and helps me in my Navy career, especially when going out on missions or changing commands. It taught me that change is inevitable and the ability to adapt will make me a better person.”
Kennedy has military ties with family members who have previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My father served in the Navy and I had one grandfather serve during the Korean War and the other served as a Navy engineer during WWII," Kennedy said. "Hearing their stories had an impact on my decision to join the Navy and serve.”
Members of Combat Camera perform unique and highly specialized missions with visual information documentation capabilities supporting all phases of a military operation. Personnel maintain qualifications enabling them to operate with air crew, special operations forces and military divers. Combat Camera teams have the technological capability to rapidly transmit imagery during fast-moving operations around the globe.
Expeditionary Combat Camera held a disestablishment ceremony Sept. 21 on Naval Station Norfolk. The ceremony honored the history, heritage and legacy of the command. Navy's combat camera units officially disestablish on Oct. 1, 2018, ending 67 years of service to the Navy and Department of Defense.
“All of those who have served at combat camera, have conveyed everything they’ve had to give; creative vision, a drive to excel, and a willingness to sacrifice,” said ECC’s final officer in charge Lt. Michael Larson, during the Norfolk ceremony. “Many have done the best work of their careers here, and that imagery has made a legacy that will live on, and inspires us to carry on.”
Kennedy represents thousands of U.S. Navy combat photographers who have recorded historical events from the land, air and sea spanning from World War II to Operation Enduring Freedom.
As a member of the Navy’s last combat camera unit, Kennedy and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I'm proud that I had the opportunity to serve as a combat cameraman,"Kennedy said. "Expeditionary Combat Camera has a rich history in the Navy and I'm glad I could be a part of it.”