CDR Ryan ‘Touchy’ McFeely, a native of San Jose CA, is a 2008 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering.  In July 2008, CDR McFeely reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL and began flight training, earning his Naval Aviator ‘wings of gold’ in May of 2010.

Ryan reported to his first fleet squadron, the “Screaming Eagles” of Patrol Squadron ONE (VP-1), in Whidbey Island, WA, where he served from May 2011 to September 2014.  While assigned to the Screaming Eagles, CDR McFeely qualified as a P-3C Aircraft Commander, Mission Commander, and Instructor Pilot.  He served as the ADP Branch Officer, FE Branch Officer, Ground Training Officer, Aviation Safety Officer and Pilot Training Officer.  CDR McFeely deployed to SEVENTH Fleet in 2011, conducting missions out of Misawa and Kadena AB and deployed to FITFH Fleet in 2013, conducting missions out of Isa AB and Masirah AB. 

In October 2014, CDR McFeely reported to Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30) for duty as an FRS Instructor Pilot, where he transitioned to the P-8A and was designated as a P-8A Instructor Pilot. He there graduated from the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School (MPRWS) Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course, earning designation as a WTI. CDR McFeely led the planning efforts as the Lead Instructor for the P-8A West Coast Transition and served as the FRS Assistant Operations Officer.   

From May 2017 to March 2019, CDR McFeely served aboard the USS NIMITZ as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer.  Onboard, he completed one full deployment to FIFTH Fleet, earning his Catapult and Arresting Gear qualifications as well as his CDO Underway qualification.  CDR McFeely served as the V-4 Division Officer and V-5 Division Officer over the course of an 18-month DPIA ‘drydock’ period. 

In July 2019, CDR McFeely joined the “Skinny Dragons” of Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4) in Whidbey Island, WA, deploying to SIXTH Fleet from 2019 through 2020.  During that deployment he led highly successful detachments to Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Portugal, and Iceland. CDR McFeely later served as the Safety-NATOPS Officer, Training Officer, and Senior Pilot during the 2020-2021 VP-4’s FRTP. CDR McFeely concluded his time in VP-4 as the Operations Officer during VP-4’s 2021 deployment to SIXTH and FITFH Fleet, overseeing operations across three separate detachment sites.

Following his department head tour, CDR McFeely served as the Operations Officer to Task Force SIX SEVEN (CTF-67) in Sigonella, Italy from November 2021 to October 2023, overseeing all shore based maritime aviation throughout the EUCOM and AFRICOM AORs. In this role, Ryan planned, coordinated, and directed upwards of 32 aircraft across six separate Task Groups covering five different type-model-series. In the Spring of 2022, CDR McFeely was selected for operational command and reported to the ‘Screaming Eagles’ of Patrol Squadron ONE to assume the responsibilities of the Executive Officer (XO) in April of 2024. 

CDR McFeely is a qualified P-8A Aircraft Commander, Mission Commander, Instructor Pilot, Weapons and Tactics Instructor and Aerial Refueling Instructor Pilot with over 2,000 military flight hours. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 Awards) and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 Awards).

CDR McFeely resides in Oak Harbor, WA, alongside his wife, Dr. Savannah J. McFeely and their daughter Maren, along with dogs Bumble and Madeline, and cat Toothless.