Commanding Officer

Commander Michael Witt is a native of Gainesville, Florida.  He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and was commissioned in May 2001.  Commander Witt was designated as a Naval Flight Officer in January 2003 and selected for training as a Radar Intercept Officer in the F-14 Tomcat with the “Grim Reapers” of VF-101 aboard NAS Oceana, Virginia.
 
Commander Witt was assigned to his first operational squadron, the “Swordsmen” of VF-32 in November 2003.  He deployed in October 2004 aboard USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  In November 2005, he took part in VF-32’s transition to the F/A-18F Super Hornet with the “Gladiators” of VFA-106.  Upon completion of his first operational tour, he reported to VFA-106 in November 2006 for duty as a flight instructor in the F/A-18D/E/F Hornet and Super Hornet.  While at VFA-106 he was selected as a member of the Rhino Demo Team.  In March 2008, he received his Executive Masters of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School.
 
Following his tour at VFA-106, he reported to Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW-3) for duty as Air Warfare Officer.  While at CVW-3, he deployed aboard USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75) in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) and NEW DAWN.
 
In October 2011, Commander Witt reported for Department Head duty to the “Redcocks” of VFA-22.  He deployed in November 2011 in support of OEF and in August 2014 for WESTPAC 2014.  During his tour, he served as Safety Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, and Operations Officer.  Additionally, he completed JPME Phase I through the Naval War College in June 2012.  Following his Department Head tour, he was assigned to Joint Staff Hampton Roads in Suffolk, VA for duty as a J7 Deployable Training Division Observer Trainer.  During this tour, he completed JPME Phase II at the Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JCWS).
 
Upon completion of duty on the Joint Staff, Commander Witt was assigned to Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic (CNAL) as the Unmanned Air Systems Requirements Officer.  Programs under his management included the MQ-25A Stingray, MQ-4C Triton, and MQ-8B/C Fire Scout. 
 
 Commander Witt has accumulated 1,900 total flight hours, including 432.8 hours in the F-14B Tomcat and over 1,300 hours in the F/A-18F Super Hornet.  His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Strike Flight Air Medal (2 awards).