AW1 Keith Meinhold (Ret) Petty Officer Keith Meinhold joined the Navy's delayed entry program on April 10th 1980.

On the first of October that year he attended boot camp at NATC Orlando Florida. He became recruit company section leader and graduated as company honorman, earning a meritorious promotion to Seaman Apprentice.

Keith was then assigned to Aviation Apprentice training school graduating at the top of his class. He was transferred to VS Wing One where he qualified as an S-3A Viking Plane Captain, and eventually transfering to Air-Antisubmarine Warfare squadron Thirty-Two homebased at Cecil Field Florida. While there Airman Meinhold volunteered for the Cecil Field Color Guard, eventually becoming color guard commander, representing the Navy in the Jacksonville area and at official Navy functions. While at VS-32 he was twice recommended for the Navy's BOOST commissioning program.

Airman Meinhold applied for AW (Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator) school. While assigned to Naval Aircrew School in Pensacola Florida, he was advanced to the AW rate. Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator Third Class Meinhold was then sent to AW A school in Millington Tennessee. While at AW A school he was assigned as Class Leader and volunteered for the Navy's Flying Rifle Drill Team. As Color Guard Commander, for the team, he represented the Navy at various events nationwide. He graduated A school at the Top of his class.

Keith was then assigned to Patrol Squadron Thirty One and trained in the P-3 aircraft graduating at the top of his class. AW3 Meinhold was transferred to ASWOC school where again graduated at the top of the class. He was assigned to "shore duty" at ASWOC Cubi Pt, Philippines,were he became qualified in the P-3 B mod aircraft and as a mission debrief analyst and advance to the rank of Second Class. AW2 Meinhold briefly left the Navy to pursue a college degree and joined reserve squadron VP-62 in Jacksonville Fl.

Keith rejoined the acitve Navy and was assigned to VP-47, qualified as a Sensor Station One and Special Projects Operator.

He was advanced to Aviation Warfare Operator, First Class while at VP-47. AW1 Meinhold then transferred to Fleet Replacement Squadron Thirty One, (VP-31) Moffett Field as an Aircrew Instructor. While at VP-31 he was recognized as "Aircrew Instructor of the Year". At VP-31 He supervised a team of 32 Navy instructors.

In his final Navy tour at VP-46,Whidbey Island Washington, was hand picked again for sensor "special projects", authored groundbreaking tactical procedures and he was recognized for photographic intelligence quality with two Lens Master and one Golden Lens awards. His crew won the 1995 ASW rodeo, and was also selected as "Crew of the Quarter", and the "Most Combat Effective Maritime Patrol Crew." He made his final overseas deployment with the Navy to the Persian Gulf from May 1995 to November 1995.

Keith retired from the Navy with full military honors on March 27th 1996, and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for his service while attached to VP-46.