Captain Barry Sehlin, USN, Retired
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| Captain Barry Sehlin, USN, Retired, recently completed his
third two year term in the Washington State House of Representatives. His many years of
leadership experience in the Navy were key to his rapid rise to the powerful position as
Chairman of the Capital Budget Committee after only one term. Until he decided not to seek
re-election Captain Sehlin was widely regarded as one of the most influential leaders in
the entire Legislature. In addition to his primary responsibility as budget chair, Rep
Sehlin played key roles in the passage of legislation ranging from health care to welfare
reform, water rights, habitat protection, and land use. Prior to his election to the Washington State House of Representatives in 1992 Captain Sehlin served for 26 years in the Navy. He entered service as an Aviation Cadet in 1963 and obtained his wings in 1965. After an initial assignment as a plow-back flight instructor at NAS Whiting Field he reported to NAS Lemoore as an attack pilot flying the A1 Skyraider in VA-152 with CVW-16 on Oriskany. Following an initial combat tour in the A1 he transitioned to the A7 and joined the Stingers of VA-113. Captain Sehlin also served as an instructor in the A7 FRS, VA-122. After transitioning into the EW community Captain Sehlin served at NAS Whidbey as Safety Officer and Maintenance Officer in VAQ-136, as Commanding Officer of VAQ-130, Commanding Officer of VAQ-129, as well as Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station. Captain Sehlin also did a tour as OPNAV Tacair EW requirements officer in OP-506. In addition to his several squadron tours he had two ship’s company tours: Assistant Air Ops on Coral Sea and Air Ops on Ranger. He made four WESTPAC cruises: Oriskany (1967), Coral Sea (1973, 1975), Ranger (1982); and five MED cruises: Saratoga (1969, 1978), Forrestal (1981), Independence (1977, 1979). While in the Navy Captain Sehlin obtained his bachelor’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California. In addition to his numerous community activities and public service he has found time to add a Master’s Degree from Western Washington University since leaving the Navy. Barry and Susan Sehlin were married in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1965 shortly after he received his commission and wings. They have two adult children, Jennifer and Martin. Their home is on Whidbey Island, Washington, near the naval air station. |