Captain Tim Waits is a native of Anniston, Alabama and a graduate of the University of Alabama, holding both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Aerospace Engineering.  In August 2000, he was designated a Naval Aviator and received orders to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101) for initial training in the F-18 Hornet.
 
After VMFAT-101, he was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 25 (VFA-25) in October 2001.  With the “Fist of the Fleet,” he deployed aboard USS Abraham Lincoln  (CVN-72), flying combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He completed a second cruise with VFA-25 aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).
 
Captain Waits was subsequently selected for U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (TPS) and reported as a member of Class 129 in August 2005 in Patuxent River, Maryland.  After graduating from TPS the following June, he reported to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 (VX-31) in China Lake, California.
 
In 2008, Captain Waits reported as a Department Head to the “Golden Dragons” of VFA-192 in Atsugi, Japan.  He completed multiple deployments throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans aboard USS George Washington (CVN-73).  Afterwards, he was assigned to the NATO Maritime Component Command (MCC) in Naples, Italy where he coordinated air and surface assets for Operation Active Endeavor and served as the liaison to Combined Forces Air Component Command for Operation Unified Protector.
 
Captain Waits assumed duties as Executive Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86) in November 2013, and took command of the Sidewinders in January 2015.  In May 2016, he detached from the Sidewinders and reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) N98 in the Pentagon as the F-18E/F Requirements Officer.  In December 2018, Captain Waits reported aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) as Executive Officer.  He served as Commanding Officer of Blue Ridge (LCC-19), the command ship for 7^th Fleet, from February 2021 to June 2022.  In December of 2022, he returned to Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) N98 as the Aircraft Carriers Branch Head. 
 
Captain Waits assumed command as Commanding Officer onboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) in February 2024.
 
Captain Waits’ awards in include Battle “E” unit awards from his tenure at Strike Fighter Squadron 86 and USS Blue Ridge.  His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medals with Bronze Star and Combat Distinction, and Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Distinction.