Commanding Officer
Cmdr. William E. Dann
Cmdr. William “Magic Legs” Dann, a native of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, earned his commission from the United States Naval Academy with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in 2007.
Following initial aviation training, he earned his wings of gold in May 2009 and reported to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 for initial qualification in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft. He then received orders to the “Bounty Hunters” of VFA-2 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California, where he served as a division officer and landing signals officer for two combat deployments from 2010-2013 in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Dann was then selected to attend the Empire Test Pilots School at Boscombe Down, United Kingdom, and graduated in 2014 as the Hawker Hunter Trophy recipient. Upon completion, he reported to the “Salty Dogs” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, where he served as a developmental test project officer and landing signals officer in the carrier suitability department from 2015-2017. His projects included upgraded launch and recovery systems on USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), precision landing modes for the Super Hornet and Growler aircraft, and certifications of the precision approach and landing systems on all fleet aircraft carriers. He was awarded the 2016 VX-23 Test Pilot of the Year while earning a master’s degree in systems engineering through the Naval Postgraduate School.
Following his test tour, Dann attended the Naval War College and completed a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies with distinction in 2018. He then received orders to return to VFA-2, where he served as the safety officer, administration officer, and operations officer through multiple Western Pacific sustainment exercises and readiness detachments. Following his selection as an Olmsted Scholar, he studied Portuguese and completed a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Coimbra, Portugal, in 2023. After requalification training in the Super Hornet aircraft at VFA-106, he reported to the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103 at NAS Oceana, Virginia, in April 2024 as the executive officer.
Dann now serves as the commanding officer of VFA-103 as of September 2025.
Dann has flown over 2,000 hours in 30 different fixed and rotary wing aircraft. His awards include the Strike Flight Air Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various unit and campaign awards.