Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Jason Papadopoulos

Cmdr. Papadopoulos was born in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, while his parents were working overseas. He attended high school in Connecticut, and afterwards enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering while completing the Navy ROTC program.
 
Upon graduation, Papadopoulos received his commission on May 17, 2002, and was assigned to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he earned a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering.
 
He began Aviation Pre-Flight Indoctrination (API) School in Pensacola, Florida, before completing primary flight training at Training Squadron (VT) 27 in Corpus Christi, Texas, and advanced jet training at VT-9 in Meridian, Mississippi. In February 2006, Papadopoulos joined the “Rough Raiders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 in Lemoore, California, for fleet replacement training in the F/A-18C.  Upon completion of the syllabus, he joined the “Stingers” of VFA-113 for his junior officer tour. During his three years with VFA-113, he completed one Western Pacific cruise and two deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Following his first sea tour, he was assigned to the Naval Aviation Warfare Development Center (NAWDC) where he acted as the maritime employment subject matter expert for over two years.  He then completed a two year tour at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU).  As a department head, he reported to the "Valions" of VFA-15 where he completed a deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve. Shortly thereafter, he returned to DEVGRU and completed a four year tour.
 
He reported to the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103 on June 20, 2020, and assumed command of the squadron on November 4, 2021. During his tenure, he commanded the squadron during an arduous work-up cycle, and successfully finished out his tour on his fifth deployment while aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).