Capt. David Dartez
Chief of Staff, Naval Air Force Atlantic
A native of King William, Virginia, Capt. David Dartez graduated from Virginia Tech in May 2001, earning two Bachelor of Science degrees in Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, as well as minor in Leadership Studies through the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. He was commissioned through the Naval ROTC Program. Additional education includes a Master of Arts degree in Defense and Strategic Studies in November 2016 from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
Dartez’s operational assignments include tours with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) as a junior officer; Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as staff landing signal officer; VFA-83 aboard USS Dwight Eisenhower (CVN 69) and Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as a department head; VFA-25 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as squadron commanding officer, CVW-8 aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) as air wing commander. Major combat operations supported include Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, Freedom Sentinel, and Absolute Resolve.
His shore assignments comprise of instructor duty at VFA-125 as F/A-18 Hornet aircraft Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Model Manager, and Office of the Secretary Air Warfare Systems, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation as senior military evaluator for USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Class Aircraft Carriers, E/A-18 Growler aircraft, MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aircraft, and the Next Generation Jammer.
He currently serves as Chief of Staff, Naval Air Force Atlantic.
Dartez has accumulated over 3,700 flight hours in 13 aircraft and 950 carrier arrested landings, including 80 combat missions. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal (four awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards) and various campaign, unit, and service awards.