A native of Royersford, Pennsylvania, Commander Matthew J. Orner, was commissioned through the NROTC Program at Villanova University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History.

Commander Orner completed primary flight training at Training Squadron TWO EIGHT (VT-28) in Corpus Christi, TX and selected the “Tailhook” pipeline.  He completed intermediate and advanced flight training at VT-7 in Meridian, MS and VT-31 in Corpus Christi, TX.  He earned his Wings of Gold in May 2009 and reported to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE TWO ZERO (VAW-120), the “Greyhawks”, for initial training in the E-2C Hawkeye.

Commander Orner completed his first sea tour with VAW-116, the “Sun Kings”, from September 2010 to September 2013.  During this tour he completed two deployments with Carrrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2) aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and NEW DAWN.  

For shore duty, Commander Orner reported back to the “Greyhawks” of VAW-120 as an instructor pilot and training Landing Signals Officer (LSO).  He served as Public Affairs Officer, Schedules Officer, and Carrier Qualification Phase Head at VAW-120.

In March 2016, Commander Orner reported to Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW-3) as an Air Wing Staff LSO and Air Wing Safety Officer.  He completed a combat deployment aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE while attached to the Air Wing staff.

Commander Orner reported to the “Wallbangers” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron ONE ONE SEVEN (VAW-117) for his Department Head tour in October 2017. With the Wallbangers, he completed work ups and an around-the-world deployment with Carrier Air Wing NINE (CVW-9) aboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) in support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.  He served the Wallbangers as the Safety Officer and Maintenance Officer.

Next, Commander Orner attended the United States Naval War College in Newport, RI where he earned his Master of Arts Degree in Defense and Strategic Studies and completed Joint Professional Military Education, Phase I in March 2021.  He completed JPME Phase II at the Joint Forces Staff College, Joint and Combined Warfighting School in Norfolk, VA in March 2022.

Commander Orner has amassed over 3,400 flight hours and over 400 arrested landings.  His personal awards include the Strike/Fight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards), and various campaign and service awards.  He married his wife, Denise, in 2013 and has three children - Madeline, Landon, and Hadley.
 

Last Updated: 4 November 2024