Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Sean M. Stuart
Cmdr. Sean “Mouth” Stuart, a native of San Diego, California, graduated in 2003 from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science, followed by attending Officer Candidate School and receiving a commission in 2005. He was designated a Naval Aviator in Kingsville, Texas in December 2007, and then reported to the Flying Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122 in Lemoore, California, for initial training in the F/A-18 Super Hornet.
After completion of his training in 2008, Stuart received orders to the “Fighting Redcocks” of VFA-22 stationed at NAS Lemoore, California, where he deployed on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in 2008 and 2009, and the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in 2010 in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. During this tour, he qualified as a Forward Air Controller (Airborne) (FAC(A)) and as a Landing Signals Officer (LSO).
Following his initial operational tour, he was selected to attend TOPGUN and graduated as a Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor, serving with the “Flying Eagles” of VFA-122. While attached to VFA-122, he was the Business Financial Manager and Fighter Phase Head and was selected as a Training Officer for VFA-22.
During his Training Officer tour with the “Fighting Redcocks” of VFA-22, Stuart deployed aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in 2014 in support of Operations Inherent Resolve. After returning from deployment, he attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he graduated with distinction earning a Master of Arts in National Strategy and Strategic Studies.
Stuart returned to the fleet in 2016, reporting to the “Fighting Blacklions” of VFA-213. While with VFA-213, he served as the Safety Officer, Administration Officer and Maintenance Officer. During this tour, he deployed aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in 2017 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Post Department Head, Stuart reported to NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium where he served on the International Military Staff in the Current Operations Branch and was the lead for all NATO operations in Iraq.
Following his overseas tour, Stuart reported to VFA-211 as the Executive Officer in November 2022 and took command of the world famous “Fighting Checkmates” in February 2024. NIKEL UP!
Stuart has flown over 2,500 hours in the F/A-18E/F and has over 600 carrier-arrested landings. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal (five awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various campaign and service awards.