Keenan flew, trained soldiers on Army helicopters
- The Keenan family: Michael, (back, from left), Conner, Erin (front, from left), Gillian, Kaitlyn and Patricia. CONTRIBUTED
MADISON – Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael Keenan and his family relocated to Huntsville in May 2015 with his job opportunity with SAIC on Redstone Arsenal. The job affected future developments in the CH-47F helicopter.
“The superior schools brought us to Madison,” Keenan said.
He entered the U.S. Army in 1991 and reported for basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. He completed Warrant Officer Candidate School and Flight School at Fort Rucker.
At Fort Hood, Texas, he was Medevac Pilot/Instructor Pilot for the UH-1 Helicopter. Also for UH-1, Keenan worked as Instructor Pilot/Instrument Flight Examiner in Vicenza, Italy.
Back at Fort Rucker, he handled UH-60 Pilot Training, along with CH-47 Pilot Training, Maintenance Test Pilot Training and Instructor Pilot Training.
Keenan deployed to Daegu, Korea as MH-47 Pilot. Then at Fort Campbell, Ky., he was MH-47 Instructor Pilot, Instrument Flight Examiner, Maintenance Test Pilot and Maintenance Test Flight Examiner.
His service included numerous deployments to Philippines, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Keenan earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi. He earned a master’s degree in management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
“My current position is a Senior Project Management Analyst at SAIC, working in System Simulation Development Directorate and Subject Matter Expert for Cargo-PM for CH-47F development,” he said.
His wife Patricia formerly worked as Athletic Director of Fort Campbell High School and now is their household manager and seeking employment.
Their children are Kaitlyn of Huntsville, who recently graduated from University of Louisville; Conner, Calhoun Community College student; Gillian, Bob Jones High School student; and Erin, Discovery Middle School student.
Michael Keenan is a member of Rotary Club of Madison and Madison Beautification and Tree Board.
“I enjoy spending time with my wife and family and catching up on all the time spent away from them while in the military, especially these last 15 years,” Keenan said. “We take pride in being ‘Disney freaks’ and enjoy spending time at the ‘happiest place on earth.’ I also attempt to play golf.”
