Executive Officer
Capt. Louis F. Catalina IV
Capt. Louis Catalina is a native of Ambridge, Pennsylvania. He graduated cum laude from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 2001, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Shipboard Operations and Technology and a U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate License. Upon graduation, he was commissioned and designated a naval aviator in March 2004. He holds a Master of Science in Management from American University and is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program (TOPGUN) and the Naval Nuclear Power School.
Flying the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft, his operational tours began with the “Black Knights” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, where he deployed aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), flying combat operations in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. He then served as the Training Officer with the “Black Aces” of VFA-41 where he deployed aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), flying combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2012, he served as a department head for the “Kestrels” of VFA-137, where he deployed aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). In 2017, he reported back to the Kestrels of VFA-137 and served as the Executive Officer and the 28th Commanding Officer of the “Kestrels” where he deployed on the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68)
Ashore, he served as a Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor at the Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific, as a Strike Fighter and Assistant Captain Detailer at Naval Personnel Command, and as an operational analyst at the Joint Staff, J8, Studies, Analysis, and Gaming Division (SAGD) in Washington DC.
He assumed the duties as the Executive Officer of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in November 2023.
His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two), Strike/Flight Air Medal (three), Navy Commendation Medal (three), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various service awards and ribbons. He is a qualified naval aviator with more than 3,400 flight hours in the F/A-18E/F, and he has accumulated 750 carrier arrested landings.