Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Sean M. Reed
Cmdr. Sean M. Reed, a native of Virginia, graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and was commissioned through the Naval ROTC Program in 2006. He completed flight training in Pensacola, Florida and Meridian, Mississippi and earned his Naval Aviator “wings” in 2008.
He completed initial Hornet F/A-18C aircraft training with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 in Virginia Beach, Virginia and joined VFA-25 in Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, California in 2010. Reed completed two deployments with VFA-25 aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. In 2012, he was selected as an F/A-18A-F instructor pilot at VFA-106. As an instructor, he served as Landing Signals Officer, Assistant Strike Phase Head, and the T-34 Turbomentor aircraft Program Manager. In July 2015, he reported the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase One. Additionally, he earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Webster University.
In August 2016, Reed reported to VFA-87 for his department head tour. While at VFA-87, he completed a deployment aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and led the Administration, Safety, Maintenance, and Operations Department. In November 2019, he reported to Joint Targeting School, Joint Staff, J7, Joint Education and Doctrine Division where he served as an instructor teaching targeting fundamentals to students from across the Allied Joint Doctrine development program. In addition, he served as Director of Joint Targeting School from June 2020 until December 2021. He has accumulated more than 2,700 flight hours and 500 carrier landings.
His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and various campaign, unit, and service awards.