Executive Officer
Cmdr. Josh Stokes
Cmdr. Stokes is a native of Brunswick, Georgia, and enlisted in the United States Navy in July 2000. He trained as an Intelligence Specialist and Navy Law Enforcement Specialist, and reported to Naval Support Activities, Naples, Italy, Security Department in July 2001. In June 2004, he reported to Joint Analysis Center, Molesworth, United Kingdon, where he served as a U.S. European Command (EUCOM) Maritime Intelligence Analyst.
In 2006 he was selected for the Seaman-to-Admiral 21 program. He graduated from Armstrong State University in Savannah, Georgia, with a Bachelor of Arts in History while completing the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps requirements at Savannah State University. He earned his commission in May 2009 and was designated a naval aviator in August 2011.
He has completed two operational maritime patrol and reconnaissance tours, deploying multiple times to the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility (AORs) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, and Sea Guardian. He served with the "Pelicans" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 45 as a junior officer and the "Grey Knights" of VP-46 as a department head. His shore assignments include: Weapons and Tactics Instructor and Fleet Replacement Squadron instructor pilot at Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School in Jacksonville, Florida; and Force Training Officer for Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group in Norfolk, Virginia.
Stokes is currently the Executive Officer of VP-45 as of June 2025.
He has flown over 1,900 hours in the P-3C Orion and P-8A Poseidon aircraft. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various other unit citations and campaign awards.