Commanding Officer
Cmdr. James Reeves 

Cmdr. James Reeves is a native of Orient, New York, and a 2006 graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Engineering in Marine Electrical Engineering. Additionally, he holds a Master’s of Science in Global Leadership from Duquesne University. He was designated a naval aviator in 2007 and completed fleet replacement training with Patrol Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 30 in 2008.

Reeves’ operational sea tours include Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Brunswick and NAS Jacksonville where he served as a P-3C instructor pilot, theater security cooperation officer (plans & policy) for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet embarked aboard the USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) in Yokosuka, Japan, and VP-40 for his department head tour where he served as the operations officer. Reeves has completed multiple deployments to the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility and flown in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve.

His shore assignments include Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Weapons School and VP-30 serving as weapons tactics instructor program coordinator and P-3C FRS instructor pilot. He most recently served as the senior aviation advisor to the Interagency Man-Portable Air Defense Systems Task Force at the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Reeves returned to Jacksonville, Florida, in the fall of 2020 to complete P-8A “Poseidon” syllabus. In May 2022, he assumed duty as the executive officer of VP-8.
He has accrued more than 2,200 pilot hours in the P-3C and P-8A. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal Strike/Flight (2), Navy Commendation Medal (2), State Department Superior Honor Award, and various unit and campaign decorations.