Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Taylor Barrow
Cmdr. Taylor “Tbear” Barrow, a native of Missoula, Montana, enlisted in the Navy in 1996. He earned the rank of Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class and was selected for the Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) commissioning program in 2003. He graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and was commissioned through the Navy ROTC program in 2007.
He was winged as a naval aviator on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, Texas, on June 26, 2009. Barrow then completed P-3C Orion aircraft flight training at Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 30. His first operational tour was with VP-4 in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, where he deployed to the 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility (AOR).
In October 2013, he joined VP-30 as a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) Instructor Pilot and transitioned to the P-8A Poseidon aircraft. He served as the P-8A Line Division Officer, Cecil Airfield Transition Officer, Fleet NATOPS Division Officer, Instructor Under Training-Instructor, and Fleet Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization program (NATOPS) Evaluator.
In June 2016, he reported to USS George Washington (CVN 73) homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, as the Assistant Navigator (ANAV). He is also the Recipient of the Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Navy and Marine Corps Peer Leadership Award.
Barrow reported to VP-26 in December 2018 for his department head tour, where he served as the Command Services Officer, Safety/NATOPS Officer, Training Officer, Officer in Charge of Commander Task Group 72.2 and the Operations Officer. He also was the recipient of his second, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Navy and Marine Corps Peer Leadership Award.
In June 2021, Barrow joined Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee, where he served as the CVN/Carrier Strike Group placement officer. In May 2024, he reported to VP-26 to assume the duties of executive officer.
Barrow assumed the duties as the Commanding Officer of VP-26 in April 2025.
His personal awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, Air Campaign Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit, campaign, and service awards.