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Commander Matthew Fannin

CDR Matthew Fannin is a native of Lakewood, Ohio and attended the United States Naval Academy graduating with a B.S. in Political Science.  He earned his commission in 2006 and reported to NAS Pensacola earning his Naval Flight Officer (NFO) wings in 2008.  In June 2008, CDR Fannin reported to the “Pro’s Nest” of Patrol Squadron THIRTY (VP-30) for initial flight training in the P-3C Orion.
CDR Fannin began his operational flying in January 2009 with the “Tridents” of Patrol Squadron TWO SIX (VP-26) in Brunswick, Maine where he served as Aircrew Division Officer and NFO Training Officer.  He qualified as Mission Commander, Instructor Tactical Coordinator (TACCO) and Maritime Weapons and Tactics Instructor (MWTI) in the P-3C Orion and Littoral Surveillance and Reconnaissance System (LSRS).  His deployments included operations in FOURTH, FIFTH and SIXTH Fleets in support of counter-narcotics, counter-piracy and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. 
In March 2012, CDR Fannin reported to the “Pro’s Nest” of VP-30 as a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) Instructor and MWTI at the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School (MPRWS).  He served as the Anti-Surface Warfare Officer and Assistant Fleet Training Department Head leading the Fleet integration of Multi-Static Active Coherent (MAC) and Command, Control, Communication and Computers (C4) ASW upgrades.  In January 2014, CDR Fannin was selected as the first U.S. Navy officer to attend the prestigious United Kingdom Royal Air Force (RAF) Qualified Weapons Instructor (QWI) course for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and earned the award for best tactical lead in the role of ISR Package Commander.
CDR Fannin’s next assignment was in April 2015 onboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) in San Diego, California serving as the Assistant Navigator (ANAV) where he qualified as Officer of the Deck (Underway) and Command Duty Officer (Underway) while deploying to FIFTH and SEVENTH Fleets supporting Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) operations.  CDR Fannin earned distinguished recognition in 2016 with his selection as the ship’s John C. Stennis Leadership Award winner.
In December 2017, CDR Fannin reported to the “Fighting Marlins” of Patrol Squadron FOUR ZERO (VP-40) in Whidbey Island, Washington for his Department Head tour, serving as the Tactics Officer, Training Officer, Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer.  He deployed to FIFTH and SEVENTH Fleets and concluded his tour at the end of the final active duty P-3C Orion deployment in 2019. 
Following his Department Head tour, CDR Fannin served as the Washington D.C. Placement Officer at PERS-44, Navy Personnel Command (NPC) in Millington, Tennessee.  While at NPC, he was responsible for the placement of officers in positions at the White House, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Office of the Chief of Naval Personnel and numerous other commands in Washington D.C. 
Following transition to the P-8A Poseidon, CDR Fannin reported to VP-4 as Executive Officer of the “Skinny Dragons” in May 2022 and assumed command in May 2023.
CDR Fannin has accumulated over 2,100 flight hours in the P-3C Orion and P-8A Poseidon.  His personal awards include Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards) and various service and unit awards.  He is married for eight years to his lovely wife Elisabeth and they have three wonderful children Madelyn, Ford and Brooklyn.

Last Updated: 10 May 2023


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