An official website of the United States government
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.

Commander Michael McBryar

A native of Kingsville, TX, Commander McBryar from graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2006 and upon commissioning began flight training at NAS Pensacola, FL. In June 2008, he was designated as a Naval Flight Officer and subsequently reported to the “Flying Eagles” of VFA-122 in Lemoore, CA for initial flight training in the F/A-18F Super Hornet. Upon training completion, he received orders to the “Swordsmen” of VFA-32 deploying to Arabian Sea aboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  

CDR McBryar reported to the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) at NAS Fallon, NV, in January of 2013 for the Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor course.  After graduation, CDR McBryar remained on Staff as a TOPGUN Instructor from 2013-2016, serving as the Navy’s Subject Matter Expert on Tactical Crew Coordination and the Advanced Tactical Training Program.

Following his tour in Fallon, CDR McBryar reported to Atsugi, Japan in August 2016 where he served eighteen months as Training Officer of the “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102. During his tour, he deployed three times to the Western Pacific as a member of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

Upon completion of his tour with the “Diamondbacks,” CDR McBryar reported back to Virginia Beach, VA and joined the “Checkmates” of VFA-211 in March 2018 for his department head tour.  During that assignment, he completed three deployments aboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and numerous exercises throughout the European Area of Operations and was awarded the Michael Longhardt Leadership Award as the 2020 VFA Department Head of the Year by Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic (CSFWL).
 
Following a successful tour with the “Checkmates,” CDR McBryar returned to TOPGUN as the Executive Officer in August 2020. During his tour, he served as both a TOPGUN Instructor and as an Air Wing Instructor at the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center.
 
CDR McBryar has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours and 600 carrier arrested landings. His personal awards and decorations include the Strike Flight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), and various campaign and personal service awards.
 

Last Updated: 4 November 2024

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