Commander Evan Coleman was raised near Cherryville, Missouri, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. Following graduation, CDR Coleman reported to Pensacola, Florida where he earned his Naval Flight Officer Wings in December 2008. For initial fleet training, CDR Coleman was assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) as an EA-6B Prowler Electronic Countermeasures Officer.
 
CDR Coleman began his operational flying career in March 2010 with the “Patriots” of VAQ-140. While there, he completed three deployments aboard the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and an expeditionary deployment to Aviano Air Base, Italy, supporting Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and UNIFIED PROTECTOR.
  
CDR Coleman was selected for the NFO to Pilot transition in June of 2013 and attended flight training in Corpus Christie and Kingsville, Texas. In September 2015, he earned his Naval Aviator Wings and then transferred to VAQ-129 for EA-18G Growler Pilot training.
 
In January 2017, CDR Coleman reported to the “Lancers” of VAQ-131 where he completed a deployment aboard the USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77), supporting Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. CDR Coleman was then selected to become an Operational Department Head and assigned to the “Rooks” of VAQ-137 in August 2019. As a “Rook,” he served as the Safety, Operations, and Maintenance Officer and completed a deployment aboard the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75), supporting Operations FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and RESOLUTE SUPPORT.
 
Following his department head tour, CDR Coleman attended the United States Naval War College where he graduated with Distinction and earned a Master of Arts degree in Defense and Strategic Studies in March 2023. CDR Coleman was then selected for squadron command and will join team “Rampage” of VAQ-138 as Executive Officer in August 2023.
 
CDR Coleman has accumulated over 2,800 flight hours in six aircraft and over 400 carrier-arrested landings, including 107 combat missions. His awards include the Strike/Flight Air Medal (5 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), and various other service awards and ribbons.
 

Last Updated: 7 September 2023