Commander Michael J. Simpson

Commanding Officer, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 138

24 October 2020 CDR Michael Simpson is from Louisville, CO.  He commissioned via the United States Naval Academy as a proud member of 8^th Company with the Class of 2002.  He graduated with honors in Computer Science and attended flight school at NAS Pensacola, NAS Corpus Christi, and NAS Meridian, earning his “Wings of Gold” in December of 2004.

After his winging, CDR Simpson headed to Whidbey Island and the “Vikings” of VAQ-129 for training in the EA-6B Prowler.  In January of 2006, CDR Simpson joined the “Yellow Jackets” of VAQ-138.  Over the next 38 months, he deployed twice on USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. 

In 2009, he was selected to transition to the EA-18G and instruct at VAQ-129, culminating in his selection as EA-18G Instructor Pilot of the Year 2011. In March 2011, CDR Simpson was chosen to augment VAQ-132 during Operation NEW DAWN, demonstrating the capabilities of the EA-18G platform in combat.

In December 2011, CDR Simpson joined Carrier Air Wing THREE as Carrier Air Wing Landing Signals Officer, leading a rigorous training program with the LSO School in preparation for an arduous nine-month deployment embarked on USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75).

In March 2013, CDR Simpson joined VAQ-130 “Zappers” and served as the Safety Officer, Administrative Officer, Operations Officer, and completed his Department Head tour as the Maintenance Officer. During his tenure, the Zappers deployed with Carrier Air Wing THREE aboard the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, marking their first deployment with the Growler.

In November 2015, CDR Simpson was selected to report to Naval Personnel Command as the Electronic Attack Placement Officer.  While on staff in Millington, he was selected for command and slated as PXO of VAQ-138 “Yellow Jackets”.  In 2017, he was selected for the Secretary of the Navy Tours With Industry (SNWTI) program and became a fellow at Microsoft in Redmond, WA.

CDR Simpson has accumulated over 2500 mishap-free flight hours, 370 carrier arrested landings, two Air Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals and various other personal and unit awards.