Executive Officer
Cmdr. Richard "Lolo" LeFils

Cmdr. Richard LeFils is a native of Panama City, Florida. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2008, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He was commissioned as an Ensign and reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for flight training.  He completed Primary flight training at NAS Whiting Field, Florida, and Jet Intermediate/Advanced flight training at NAS Kingsville, Texas.  He earned his Naval Aviator wings in April 2011 and subsequently reported to the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122 “Flying Eagles” at NAS Lemoore, California, for initial Fleet training in the F/A-18C Hornet aircraft.

He began his operational flying in October 2012 with the “Vigilantes” of VFA-151. While a “Vigilante,” the squadron transitioned to the F/A-18E Super Hornet and he served as the NATOPS Officer, Avionics and Armament Division Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and Safety Officer.

After his time with the “Vigilantes,” he returned to the “Flying Eagles” of VFA-122 as an Instructor Pilot in January 2016.  There, he served as Fighter Phase Head and Standardization Officer.

He then returned to the Fleet in July 2018 as a “Super JO” with the VFA-25 “Fist of the Fleet.”  During his time as a “Fist”, he deployed aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operations Freedom’s Sentinel and Inherent Resolve during the 2019 around-the-world cruise.  He served as Aircraft Division Officer, Safety Officer, and Quality Assurance Officer.

He left the “Fists” in March 2020 to join the “World Famous Golden Dragons” of VFA-192 as a Department Head. As a “Dragon”, he served as the Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer, and deployed to the Western Pacific aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). During this tour there, he was chosen as a recipient of the 2021 Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Pacific Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award.

Following his department head tour, he was selected as a U.S. Navy Politico-Military Scholar and earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  After graduating in May 2023, he reported to VFA-106 at NAS Oceana, Virginia, for refresher training in the F/A-18E.  He reported to VFA-37 as Executive Officer in May 2024.

LeFils has accumulated over 2,300 flight hours, 500 carrier arrested landings, and 7 combat missions.  His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various service awards and ribbons.