Commanding Officer
Cmdr. David "Pawnshop" Wiltshire
Cmdr. Wiltshire is a native of Midlothian, Virginia. He is a 2004 graduate of Virginia Tech, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management and a commission through Virginia Tech Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. He earned his “Wings of Gold” in April 2007 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville, Texas, then reported to Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 120 in Norfolk, Virginia, for initial fleet training in the E-2C Hawkeye.
In March 2008, Wiltshire reported to the “Bluetails” of VAW-121 in Norfolk, Virginia, where he deployed three times; once with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 taking the USS George Washington (CVN 73) “around the horn” and twice with CVW 7 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Wiltshire returned to VAW-120 in April 2011 as an instructor pilot. There he served as the pilot naval air training and operating procedures standardization (NATOPS) officer, alternate Naval Air Force Atlantic (AIRLANT) NATOPS evaluator, and carrier qualification phase head landing signal officer (LSO).
Following instructor duty, Wiltshire returned to sea in April 2014 CVW 1 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as air wing LSO, “CAG Paddles.” While there, he deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
In August 2015, Wiltshire reported to NAS Point Mugu, California, as a department head with the “Sun Kings” of VAW-116, serving as administrative officer, safety officer, and maintenance officer. He completed work ups with CVW 17 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in preparation for their combat deployment to the United States Central Command area of responsibility (AOR).
Upon completion of his department head tour, Wiltshire reported to the Joint Staff, J-39, Deputy Director for Global Operations in October 2017. During this tour he screened for Aviation Commander Command.
He then reported to the “Tigertails” of VAW-125 forward deployed to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, in April 2020 as executive and commanding officer where he deployed three times aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) to the 5th and 7th Fleet AORs supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Allies Refuge, and a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Wiltshire then reported to OPNAV N98 as the MQ-25 Requirements Officer where he screened for bonus command. In December 2022, he returned to the “Greyhawks” of VAW-120 to assume the role of commanding officer.
He has over 3,500 flight hours and over 300 carrier arrested landings. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal (six awards), the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various other unit, service, and campaign awards.