Executive Officer
Cmdr. Philip T. Gurney
A native of Leesburg, Virginia, Cmdr. Gurney graduated from the University of Virginia (UVA) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science in 2009. He earned his “Wings of Gold” as a naval aviator in Meridian, Mississippi, in July 2012.
Gurney received his initial F/A-18 Hornet aircraft qualification at Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA) 106 on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana and was assigned to the “Blacklions” of VFA‑213. The squadron deployed in 2014 onboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Inherent Resolve in Iraq. That year the squadron earned both the Battle Efficiency (Battle “E”) Award and the Wade McClusky Award for most outstanding attack squadron in the Navy.
In 2016, Gurney reported to the “Golden Eagles” of Training Squadron (VT) 22 on board NAS Kingsville, Texas, as a T-45 Goshawk aircraft instructor pilot. There he served as the Assistant Operations Officer and was selected for the Fleet Scholar Education Program, earning his Master of Business Administration from UVA’s Darden School of Business in 2021.
After refresher training at VFA‑106, Gurney reported to the “Bounty Hunters” of VFA‑2 in NAS Lemoore, California, as a Department Head. The squadron deployed onboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) for the 2023-2024 Western Pacific cruise, and in support of the summer 2024 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multi-national exercise.
Following his department head tour, in the summer of 2024, Gurney returned to VFA-106 for instructor duty. In preparation for his current assignment, he completed the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) Adversary course in Fallon, Nevada, in the fall of 2025.
Gurney reported as the Executive Officer of Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic in December 2025.
Gurney has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours and 300 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include the Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (two awards), and additional unit and campaign awards.