Executive Officer
Cmdr. Paul D. Dixon
Cmdr. Paul Dixon, a native of Lemoore, California and Fallon, Nevada, graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics in 2009. He began flight training in Pensacola, Florida, completing primary flight training in Milton, Florida and advanced flight training in Meridian, Mississippi.
After earning his “wings of gold”, he completed training in the F/A-18 Super Hornet with the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 in Virginia Beach, Virginia in 2013. His first sea tour was with the “Black Knights” of VFA-154 in Lemoore, California where he deployed aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
After his initial operational tour, he was selected to attend TOPGUN and graduated as a strike fighter tactics instructor serving with Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific (SFWSP) aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore. While attached to SFWSP, he was the West Coast’s subject matter expert on F/A-18 Combat Systems.
In 2019, Cmdr. Dixon returned to the fleet as a training officer in VFA-14 where he deployed aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Upon returning home from deployment, he took part in the planning and execution of the “Tophatters” 100th Anniversary celebration as the oldest squadron in the Navy.
Upon selection for department head, he remained attached to the “Tophatters” of VFA-14 where he was deployed aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in 2022 supporting Western Pacific operations.
Post department head tour in 2022, he reported to the Navy Personnel Command Aviation Officer Distribution Division (PERS-43) in Millington, Tennessee for shore duty. While at PERS-43, he served as the VFA Junior Officer Detailer in addition to serving on numerous support roles for administrative selection boards. In August 2024, he received a Master of Military Operational Art and Science degree from the United States Air Force’s Air University.
Cmdr. Dixon has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours and is authorized to wear various personal, unit, and campaign awards, all a testament to the amazing Officers and Sailors with whom he has served.