Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Clifton G. Lennon
Cmdr. Clifton Lennon is from Westminster, Maryland, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2006 with a Master of Science in Applied Science (Operations Research). Designated as a naval aviator in August 2008, he reported to the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Virginia, for initial training in the F/A-18 Super Hornet.
Lennon’s first operational tour was with the “Gunslingers” of VFA-105 where he deployed onboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2012, he attended the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) Course with a follow-on assignment as a strike fighter tactics instructor at Strike Fighter Weapons School, Atlantic in Oceana, Virginia.
In May 2015, Lennon joined the “Eagles” of VFA-115 at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan, as training officer. While attached to VFA-115, he completed patrols onboard the USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as part of the forward deployed naval forces.
After completion of his tour at VFA-115, Lennon reported to the “Dambusters” of VFA-195 as a department head in April 2016. While with the “Dambusters”, he completed multiple western Pacific patrol cycles onboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and served as the safety, administration, maintenance, and operations officer. Additionally, VFA-195 completed a permanent duty station change from NAF Atsugi to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, in 2017.
Following his department head tour, Lennon was assigned to Joint Staff, J-3 from January 2019 to February 2021. He served as an operations officer in the J-35 Regional Operations Directorate and executive assistant to the Deputy Director for Regional Operations and Force Management.
Lennon reported to the “Golden Warriors” of VFA-87 as executive officer in November 2021. In 2022, he completed the maiden deployment on USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). He has accumulated over 2,800 flight hours and 530 carrier arrested landings. Lennon assumed command of VFA-87 in January 2023.