Commanding Officer
Cmdr. James "Thud" Brigden
Cmdr. Brigden, a native of Dayton, Ohio, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 2007 and a Master of Business Administration from University of Florida in 2020. He commissioned via Navy ROTC in 2007 and earned his Naval Flight Officer (NFO) “Wings of Gold” upon completion of flight training in June 2009.
Brigden’s operational assignments include the “Mad Foxes” of Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 5, where he served as NFO Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Officer and P-3 Orion Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI); USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), where he served as Air Department’s V-1 division officer and aircraft launch and recovery equipment officer (shooter); a department head tour with the “Fighting Tigers” of VP-8, where he served as operations officer; and with the “Pelicans” of VP-45 as the Executive Officer in May 2024.
His shore assignments include a staff tour with the “Desert Sharks” of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 57, where he served as future operations officer and staff WTI, and an instructor tour with Tactical Training Group, Pacific (TTGP), where he served as the maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (MPRA) subject matter expert (SME). Most recently, he completed a joint staff tour with Deputy Director for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations (J-32) in the Pentagon, where he served as J-32 executive assistant and branch chief.
Brigden has completed numerous deployments to 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility and Africa Command (AFRICOM) accumulating over 1,700 flight hours in the P-3C Orion and P-8A Poseidon aircraft. He has participated in Operations Enduring Freedom, Active Endeavor, Odyssey Dawn, Inherent Resolve, Sentinel Shield, and Unified Response.
He is currently serving as the Commanding Officer of VP-45 as of June 2025.
His military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), and various other personal, service, and unit awards.