An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

​Comman​der J. Karl Cummings

A native of Mukilteo, Washington, Commander Cummings was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at the University of Washington in 2005, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. CDR Cummings earned his Wings in February 2007 and reported to VP-30 that same month to begin training in the P-3C.

CDR Cummings began his operational flying in 2007 with the “Grey Knights” of VP-46 at NAS Whidbey Island. While a “Grey Knight”, he deployed twice to CENTCOM, including Djibouti, Qatar, Iraq, and Bahrain, while participating in Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, as well as multiple detachments to the PACOM AOR and to SIXTH Fleet, NAS Sigonella. During this tour CDR Cummings qualified as a Mission Commander and Instructor Pilot, finishing his tour as the squadrons’ Pilot NATOPS Officer and Primary “Blue Card”.

CDR Cummings reported to the P-3C FRS in Jacksonville, Florida in 2011 to begin his tour as an FRS Instructor Pilot. During his three year tour, he flew training detachments to RAF Lossiemouth, UK and to the “Saints” 333rd Squadron Royal Norwegian Air Force at Andøya Air Station. Within the squadron, he served as the Human Resource Officer, the Instructional System Development DIVO, and the Quality Assurance Officer. Additionally, he qualified as a FRS IP, Fleet IUT-IP, FRS IUT-IP, and Fleet NATOPS Evaluator. At the end of his tour, CDR Cummings transitioned to Navy Reserves as a Selected Reservist.

CDR Cummings then returned to NAS Whidbey Island, reporting to the “Totems” of VP-69 in 2015. With the Totems, he completed two deployments in support of Commander Task Force 72, serving as an OIC, PPC/MC, and LNO onboard AFB Kadena, NAF Atsugi, and NAF Misawa, as well as detachments to El Salvador, MCAB Kaneohe Bay, Exercise NORTHERN EDGE, and multiple COMPTUEX’s and JTFX’s. Within the squadron, CDR Cummings has served as the NATOPS and Training Department Head, Maintenance Officer and the Operations Officer, as well as completing his JPME-I through the Naval War College.
CDR Cummings has accumulated over 3,000 flight hours, including 57 combat missions. His awards include the Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various service and unit awards and ribbons.

Last Updated: 21 August 2023


Guidance-Card-Icon Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon