Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Greg Valdez
Cmdr. Greg Valdez was commissioned in 2005 from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He also graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2014 with an Executive Masters of Business Administration. He began flight training in Pensacola, Florida in the fall of 2005 and was designated a naval flight officer in January of 2008. After earning his wings, he completed training in the F/A-18F Super Hornet with the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia in 2009.
Valdez’s first sea tour was with the “Swordsmen” of VFA-32 where he deployed on the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this tour he qualified as a joint terminal attack controller (JTAC), forward air controller (airborne) (FAC(A)), and mission commander and earned the Thomas Hudner Leadership Award for 2011.
After his initial operational tour, he was selected to attend U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program (TOPGUN) and graduated as a strike fighter tactics instructor serving with Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific (SFWSP) out of NAS Lemoore, California. While attached to SFWSP, he was the west coast’s subject matter expert on F/A-18 air-to-surface employment. He culminated the tour as the FAC(A) branch head and was selected as a training officer for VFA-22.
During his follow-on tour with the “Fighting Redcocks” of VFA-22, Valdez deployed aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in 2014-15 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Upon selection for department head, he proceeded to the “Black Knights” of VFA-154 where he served as the administration officer, maintenance officer, and operations officer. During this tour, he deployed aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in 2017 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. As a department head, he qualified as an air wing strike lead and air interdiction mission commander.
Post department head tour, Valdez reported to the Pers-43 division of Naval Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee in 2018 for shore duty. While at Pers-43, he was the VFA junior officer and Lt. Cmdr. detailer and finished his tour serving as the assistant aviation Capt. detailer.
Valdez joined the world-famous “Red Rippers” of VFA-11 in November 2021, serving as the executive officer since 16 December 2021.
Valdez has accumulated over 2,100 flight hours in the FA-18F. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal (5 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (3 awards), and various unit, theater, and campaign awards.