Executive Officer
Cmdr. Cody "Judy" Hastings
A native of Canton, New York, Cmdr. Hastings enlisted in the Navy as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate in August 2001 and was assigned to Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 113, the “Black Eagles,” in Point Mugu, California, from July 2002 to February 2006. He earned his commission through the Navy’s Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) program.
In April 2008, Hastings graduated Magna Cum Laude from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Flight Technology with a minor in Military Science. After commissioning, he began primary flight training in Corpus Christi, Texas, flying the T-34C Turbomentor aircraft. Earning his “Wings of Gold” in June 2011, he reported to VAW-120, the “Greyhawks,” in Norfolk, Virginia, for flight training in the E-2C Hawkeye aircraft.
Hastings reported to VAW-124, the “Bear Aces,” in April 2012 where he deployed from February to November 2014 with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 aboard USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) flying 96 combat missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve.
In February 2015, Hastings returned to VAW-120 as an instructor pilot. Serving as the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Air Refueling subject matter expert, fleet simulator testing subject matter expert, he was responsible for the fleet replacement squadron (FRS) and fleet transition academic, simulator and flight training syllabi as the community began to prepare for the first ever air refueling capable E-2D Hawkeye aircraft.
Hastings then reported to the Joint Staff at the U.S. Military Delegation in Brussels, Belgium, to serve as the Aide de Camp to the U.S. Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee where he coordinated with members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense, Department of State, and NATO to develop and adapt the political-military alliance’s command structure and strategy to meet emerging security challenges.
In 2019, Hastings returned to the fleet as a Department Head at VAW-123, the “Screwtops.” He completed back-to-back deployments during the historic COVID pandemic with CVW-3 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) flying combat missions in support of Operations Freedom Sentinel and Final Countdown.Hastings attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he completed Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) (Phase I) and a Master of Arts degree in Defense and Strategic Studies. He was selected for squadron command in March 2023 and reported to VAW-123 as Executive Officer in May 2025.
He has accumulated over 2,700 flight hours, 160 carrier landings, and 119 combat missions. His personal decorations include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various campaign awards and unit commendations.