Executive Officer

Cmdr. Kyle “LAB” Matson, a native of Yuba City, California, is a 2009 graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University where he was a member of the San Diego NROTC unit.  He completed primary flight training in Milton, Florida, and was designated a naval aviator in Meridian, Mississippi, in 2012.
 
In June 2012, Matson reported to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122 in Lemoore, California, for initial training in the FA-18 Super Hornet aircraft. After completing his training in May 2013, he reported to the “Royal Maces” of VFA-27 in Atsugi, Japan.  During this tour, he completed three deployments with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).
 
In May 2016, he attended the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in Fallon, Nevada.  Following graduation from TOPGUN, he joined the TOPGUN Staff as an instructor and served as the first ever APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar system subject matter expert (SME).
 
Detaching from TOPGUN in July 2019, Matson reported to the “Fist of the Fleet” of VFA-25 in Lemoore, California, where he served as Training Officer and deployed aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) with CVW-7 where he flew combat missions in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. In July 2020, he reported to the “Gunslingers” of VFA-105 where he served as Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer and deployed aboard USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) with CVW-3, flying combat missions in Afghanistan in support of the United States’ withdrawal.
 
Following his department head tour, Matson reported to the Navy Personnel Command, Millington, Tennessee (PERS 43), serving as the VFA West / F-35C Placement Officer from January 2023 to October 2024.
 
Matson now serves as the Executive Officer for VFA-131.
 
He has flown the FA-18 A-F Hornet/Super Hornet aircraft and has accumulated over 2,300 flight hours and 500 carrier arrested landings. Matson was recognized as the 2022 Naval Air Force Atlantic Pilot of the Year, and is authorized to wear various personal, unit, and campaign awards.