Commanding Officer
Capt. Gavin Duff
Captain Gavin Duff received his commission from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S in Naval Architecture in 1995 and was designated a Naval Aviator in June 1998. He holds a Master of Engineering Management from Old Dominion University and was a 2019 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI fellow.
Flying the F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter, Duff’s early at-sea operational tours were with the “Marauders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 82, where he was selected as Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic’s Pilot of the Year for 2001; the “Eagles” of VFA-115, where he was selected as the Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific LCDR Michael G. Hoff Attack Aviator of the Year for 2007; and as the executive officer of the “Flying Eagles” of VFA-122. He subsequently commanded the “Tophatters” of VFA-14. During his tenure, the “Tophatters” deployed twice with USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn, and VFA-14 was awarded the Battle “E” and the Rear Adm. C. Wade McLuskey Award for operational excellence. He served as the 10th Commanding Officer of USS Mesa Verde.
His shore and staff assignments include U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, where he graduated with honors; the “Salty Dogs” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23; Strike Fighter Community Detailer at Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee; and with the Joint Staff J7.
Duff was selected for the nuclear aviation pipeline, graduating from Naval Nuclear Power School with honors, and served as the executive officer of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) during its 2017 deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
He became the 13th Commanding Officer of USS Harry S. Truman in August 2021.
Duff is the 2014 recipient of Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership and his personal awards include Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star (in lieu of third award), Strike/Flight Air Medal (10 awards with Bronze Star and Combat Distinguishing Device), and various personal, unit and service awards. He is most proud of his various unit awards that reflect credit on the successful teams he has served with and the many skilled professionals he has been privileged to work alongside.