Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Joel C. Nogle
Cmdr. Joel Nogle, a native of Champaign, Illinois, graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance in 2007. After being designated a Naval Aviator in Meridian, Mississippi, in 2009, he remained at Training Squadron (VT) 9 for assignment as a Selectively Retained Graduate (SERGRAD) instructor pilot.
In 2010, he was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for initial training in the F/A-18 Super Hornet. After completing his training in 2011, he reported to the “Red Rippers” of VFA-11 aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Virginia.
In 2014, he attended the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in Fallon, Nevada. Following graduation from TOPGUN, he joined the “Diablos” of Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic (SFWSL) serving as a strike fighter tactics instructor.
After completing his weapons school tour in 2016, Cmdr. Nogle reported to the “Black Aces” of VFA-41 aboard NAS Lemoore, California, where he served as the squadron training officer. Upon selection for operational department head, he reported in 2018 to the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103 at NAS Oceana.
Following his department head tour, he received orders to the Navy Personnel Command to serve as the F/A-18 West Coast and F-35 placement officer within the Aviation Officer Distribution Division (PERS-43) in Millington, Tennessee. While at PERS-43, he also served as the Assistant Captain Assignments Officer. In April 2023, he received a Master of Military Operational Art and Science Degree from the United States Air Force’s Air University.
Throughout his service, Cmdr. Nogle has participated in operations worldwide and has accumulated over 3,000 flight hours and more than 500 carrier landings. He is authorized to wear various personal, unit, and campaign awards, all a testament to the amazing Officers and Sailors with whom he has served.