Executive Officer
Cmdr. Joel P. Martinez
Cmdr. Joel Martinez is a native Texan but spent much of his childhood in Patuxent River, Maryland, as the son of a now retired Aviation Structural Mechanic Chief. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and was Winged a Naval Aviator in Corpus Christi, Texas, in October 2005.
Martinez completed three operational maritime patrol and reconnaissance tours and deployed multiple times to the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. As a junior officer, he served with the “Pelicans” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 45 flying the P-3C Orion aircraft. After completing the platform transition to the P-8A Poseidon aircraft, he served as a department head with the “Tridents” of VP-26 during their inaugural P-8A Poseidon aircraft training cycle and deployment. In 2020, he was privileged to report to the “Golden Swordsmen” of VP-47 as Executive Officer, then as Commanding Officer.
Afloat, Martinez served as Assistant Navigator aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68). He participated in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 exercise and deployed to the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Syrian Contingency operations.
Shore assignments include, Weapons and Tactics Instructor at Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing (CPRW) 11, Fleet Training, and Weapons and Tactics Department Head at the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School; Aviation, Weapons, and Shipbuilding and Conversion Congressional Appropriations Liaison for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy Financial Management and Comptroller; and Operations Officer and Director of War for Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group (CPRG).
His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various Campaign, Service, and Unit awards. Recipient of the 2008 CPRW-11 Junior Officer Leadership Excellence Award, the 2013 Commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific Ship Handler of the Year; and the 2017 Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award.