Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Jason C. Pallotta
Cmdr. Jason Pallotta, a native of South Daytona, Florida, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1999 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. After earning his designation as a Naval Aviator in October 2009, he reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA, for initial flight training in the FA-18E/F Super Hornet with the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106.
In 2010, Cmdr. Pallotta joined the “Argonauts” of VFA-147 based out of NAS Lemoore, California. In 2011, he completed a combat deployment with VFA-147 as a component of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in support of Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom. In 2013, he completed a second combat deployment with VFA-147 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, this time as part of CVW-11 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
Following his first fleet tour, Cmdr. Pallotta attended the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in Fallon, Nevada. Following graduation in March 2014, he returned to NAS Lemoore to serve as a Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor (SFTI) with the “Outlaws” of Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific. After completing his SFTI tour in 2017, he remained in Lemoore and reported to the “Warhawks” of VFA-97 for his training officer tour.
In 2018, Cmdr. Pallotta joined the “Talons” of VFA-115 based in Iwakuni, Japan, for his department head tour. While stationed in Japan, he completed three Western Pacific deployments as part of CVW-5 aboard CVN 76.
In 2020, Cmdr. Pallotta reported to U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, where he served as a Joint Operations Planner in the ECJ3 operations directorate. In October 2022, he returned to VFA-106 to regain currency in the F/A-18E Super Hornet before joining the “Blue Blasters” of VFA-34 as executive officer in July 2023. While with VFA-34, Cmdr. Pallotta completed a U.S. 5th and U.S. 7th Fleet deployment as part of CVW-11 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), flying combat missions in support of U.S. Central Command contingency operations and Operation Inherent Resolve.
Cmdr. Pallotta has accumulated over 2,700 flight hours in the FA-18A-F, T-45A, and T-34C, and has over 730 carrier-arrested landings. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), Good Conduct Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.