Executive Officer
Cmdr. Jim Burt
Cmdr. Jim Burt, a native of Columbia, Tennessee, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 2010. Additionally, he earned a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University in 2018.
His first sea assignment was with the “World Watchers” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, Washington, from May 2011 to May 2014. Burt deployed to the U.S. 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility (AOR) in support of Operations New Dawn, Enduring Freedom and Freedom’s Sentinel. His qualifications included EP-3E Aries II aircraft Electronic Warfare Mission Commander and Instructor Senior Evaluator.
His first shore assignment was to the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C., as an Action Officer for the Directorate for Intelligence, Joint Staff, from May 2014 to January 2016.
Following his Joint Staff tour, Burt was the Operations Administration Officer onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) homeported at NAS North Island, California. He served as an Officer of the Deck (Underway) and deployed to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet AOR in support Operation Inherent Resolve.
In February 2018, Burt reported to Patrol Squadron (VP) 30 at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. While at “The Pro’s Nest,” he served as the P-3C Orion/EP-3E Aries II aircraft Training Director, Assistant Operations Officer, and Student Control Officer. He qualified as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor, and Fleet Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Evaluator.
In June 2021, he reported to the “Wizards” of Special Projects Patrol Squadron (VPU) 2 for his department head tour where he served as the Operations Officer and Training Officer. His qualifications included P-8A Poseidon aircraft Quick Reaction Capability Mission Commander and Instructor Sensor Coordinator. He served as the Officer-in-Charge for three detachments to U.S. 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet AORs.
In November 2023, he reported to Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee, assigned to PERS-801 Statutory Officer Promotion Selection Board Branch as a board sponsor.
He assumed duties as the executive officer at VPU-2 in April 2025.
Burt has accumulated over 2,400 hours in the EP-3E Aries II and P-8A Poseidon aircraft. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal Strike/Flight (two awards), Joint Serve Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards) and Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), as well as various unit, campaign, and service awards.