Executive Officer
Cmdr. Clark B. Ross
Cmdr. Clark Ross is a native of Framingham, Massachusetts. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. Ross earned his naval aviator Wings in March of 2012. He reported to Patrol Squadron (VP) 30 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville for training and qualification in the P-8A Poseidon aircraft in September of 2014.
Ross executed his operational flying with the “Fighting Tigers” of VP-8 in Jacksonville, Florida, for two distinct tours beginning in July 2015 and October 2020. He served in various leadership positions and oversaw departments in Administration, Safety, Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS), Training, and Maintenance. During his tenure with the Fighting Tigers, VP-8 was awarded the Captain J. A. Isbell Award for Anti-Submarine Warfare Excellence, the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy, and two consecutive Battle Effectiveness awards. Ross deployed on four occasions to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility while with VP-8.
His staff tours include serving as Flag Aide to the Commander for Naval Education and Training Command from March 2018 to May 2020, and most recently as Strategic Planner and Deputy Executive Assistant to the Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy (J-5) on the Joint Staff, from December 2022 to October 2024.
Ross is currently serving as the Executive Officer for VP-16 as of June 2025.
Ross has accumulated over 1,500 flight hours in five Navy aircraft. He is qualified as a Mission Commander, Instructor Pilot, Air-to-Air Refueling Instructor Pilot, and Functional Check Flight Pilot in the P-8A Poseidon aircraft. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.