CA native of the Big Island of Hawaii, CDR Synge O’Leary graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine and Environmental Sciences. He began his active duty career aboard CGC JARVIS (WHEC-725) in Honolulu, Hawaii, serving as an Engineer Officer in Training. He then completed six-months of training at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City Beach, Florida, and returned to Honolulu as the Diving Officer aboard CGC WALNUT (WLB-205).

After experiencing life underway, CDR O’Leary quickly applied and attended Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida, earning his wings of gold in 2016. His aviation assignments have included Air Station Borinquen, Puerto Rico, and Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey. As an MH-65 Dolphin Short-Range Recovery pilot, he has served as an instructor pilot and flight examiner for both search and rescue and rotary-wing air intercept missions, accumulating more than 2,000 flight hours. He also holds Federal
Aviation Administration certificates as a flight instructor and an airline transport pilot with a rotorcraft-helicopter rating.

CDR O’Leary earned a master’s degree in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa in 2026. His research examined the potential coupling between deep tropospheric convection and ionospheric activity. He is the proud father of two children, Olive and Sunny.

Education

• M.S., Atmospheric Sciences, 2026, University of Hawai.i at Manoa
• B.S., Marine and Environmental Sciences, 2010, U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Courses Taught

• Physics I/II
• Fundamentals of UxS Operations
• Private Pilot Ground School