Executive Officer
Cmdr. Derrick R. Bruce

Cmdr. Derrick Bruce, a native of Dallas, Texas, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.  He was designated a Naval Aviator in February 2010 at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas.
 
Cmdr. Bruce’s first sea assignment was with Patrol Squadron Nine (VP-9) aboard Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii from December 2010 to July 2014, flying the P-3C Orion.  While with the “Golden Eagles,” he completed two operational deployments to the Sixth Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) and two additional surges to Fifth Fleet. While with VP-9, he qualified as a Patrol Plane Commander, Patrol Plane Mission Commander, Patrol Plane Instructor Pilot, and Weapons and Tactics Instructor. 
 
Cmdr. Bruce’s first shore assignment was with VP-30 in Jacksonville, Florida from July 2014 to July 2017.  While aboard, he transitioned to the P-8A and served on the Fleet NATOPS team and was the Pilot Training Officer. He also qualified as a Formation IP and was the first fleet AAR IP.
 
In July 2017, Commander Bruce reported back to VP-26 as the Squadron Maritime Tactics Instructor (SMTI).  While there, he deployed to the Sixth and Seventh Fleet AORs.
 
In October 2019, Cmdr. Bruce reported to Patrol Squadron FORTY (VP-40) at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington as a Department Head. Cmdr. Bruce served as the CSD Officer, Tactics Officer, Training Officer, Maintenance Officer, and Operations Officer.  During the “Fighting Marlin’s” inaugural P-8 deployment to Sixth Fleet, Cmdr. Bruce served as the Operations officer to CTG 67.1.
 
In April 2022, Cdr. Bruce reported to Navy Personnel Command on the PERS-43 team. As the VP Placement officer, he was integral to the officer manning throughout the community.  
 
Cmdr. Bruce has accumulated over 2,900 flight hours in the P-3C Orion and P-8A Poseidon.  His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and other unit and service ribbons.