Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Jonathan "Paddles" Gilliom

Cmdr. Jonathan Gilliom, a native of Charlottesville, Virginia, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2005 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering.  He also earned a Masters of Sciences in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2006.  He completed flight training in Pensacola, Florida, and earned his wings of gold in April 2008.

He completed his first fleet tour at Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 before being selected as a Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor with follow-on orders to the Strike Fighter Weapons School, Pacific.  He completed his fleet training officer tour at VFA-11 and department head tour at Strike Fighter VFA-2.  His most recent shore assignment was at the Naval War College, where he earned a Masters of Arts in Military and Strategic Studies.

Gilliom has participated in various operations including Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Resolve and has deployed on the USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), and USS George Washington (CVN 73).  Throughout his career, he has accumulated over 2200 flight hours and 500 carrier landings. 

Gilliom assumed the duties as Commanding Officer of VFA-103 in June 2024.

His decorations include the Strike Flight Air Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.