A native of Vancouver, Washington, Anthony L. Kiggins "Tony" was raised in Florida.  Following graduation from Largo High School, he attended the Daytona Beach, Florida campus of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, earning a degree in Aeronautical Science in 1976.  He also earned his commercial pilot certificate, instrument rating and certified flight instructor for both airplanes and instrument instruction.  

Tony completed the United States Navy's Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate Program (AVROC) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola and was commissioned an Ensign in March of 1977.  In May 1978, he earned his "Wings of Gold" and was designated a Naval Aviator.  Reporting to NAS Miramar, California, he transitioned to the F-14 Tomcat assigned to Fighter Squadron 114 (VF-114) "Aardvarks" completing two deployments to the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean in USS AMERICA (CV-66).  Along the way, Lieutenant Junior Grade Kiggins picked up the callsign of "Sarge".  Following selection to attend the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) he was promoted to Lieutenant and served as Weapons Training Officer and Landing Signal Officer (LSO).

During follow-on assignment to Fighter Squadron 124 (VF-124) "Gunfighters" as an F-14 Instructor Pilot and Training LSO, Sarge was one of six fighter pilots selected for transition to the FA-18 Hornet and NAS Lemoore, California, and reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 25 (VFA-25) "Fist of the Fleet" in November 1983.  In February 1985, Lieutenant Commander Kiggins participated in the first operational deployment of the FA-18 onboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64).

After serving on the Chief of Naval Operations Anti-Surface Warfare Continuum, he reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125) "Rough Raiders" as an Instructor Pilot and Instructional Systems Development Officer.  He also chaired the Fleet Project Team responsible for evaluation and validation of all Navy/Marine FA-18 flight simulator programs and training courseware development.

In October 1988, Lieutenant Commander Kiggins reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113) "Stingers", serving as Administrative, Operations and Maintenance Officer.  He completed two Western Pacific/Indian Ocean deployments in USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64) and USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62), participating in PACEX 89 and was among the first units to respond to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in Operation DESERT SHIELD.

Following graduation from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, earning a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, Commander Kiggins refreshed in the FA-18 Hornet and reported as Executive Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 137 (VFA-137) "Kestrels" at NAS Cecil Field, Florida.  The squadron was reassigned to Carrier Air Wing TWO and relocated to NAS Lemoore, California.  Following an around-the-horn reposition of USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64), he assumed command in of VFA-137 in January 1994.  Again, deploying in USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64), he was responsible for developing tactics and techniques to optimize a new, fifty power-projection aircraft air wing composition as defined by the Navy's "Forward, From the Sea" concept.  Operations throughout the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf, including Operation SOUTHERN WATCH ensured this "First of the Future" deployment established a foundation for carrier aviation through the turn of the century.

In July 1995, Sarge reported to the Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, promoted to Captain, and served in the Plans and Policy Directorate and as the Director for Manpower, Personnel and Administration.

Decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) and other campaign and unit decorations. At the completion of his military aviation career he had logged over 6,500 flight hours and over 1,000 carrier arrested landings.

Following retirement from the United States Navy, Tony served a stint as Operations Director at the family wholesale lumber distribution business, Hearin Lumber Company. 

In 2002, with the itch to return to aviation, Tony was hired by Alaska Airlines based in Seattle, Washington flying several variants of the Boeing 737.  After over 18 years at Alaska Airlines, Captain Kiggins retired from the schedule air carrier commercial airlines.   Keeping his hand in aviation, Captain Kiggins went on to fly Lear Jets in an on-demand air charter air ambulance role.

With over 50 years and 22,000 flight hours in aviation, Tony is now active in General Aviation as an aircraft owner and Certified Flight Instructor, FAA Safety Team Representative, and aviation mentor.

Captain Kiggins has been married to his high school sweetheart, the former Susan L. Coleman of Clearwater, Florida for over 48 years. They have three fantastic children and eight amazing grandchildren.  He currently resides in Largo, Florida.