A native of Wausau, WI, CAPT Hurst graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering. He earned the Navy Wings of Gold in May of1999 and reported to the Rough Raiders of VFA-125 in Lemoore, CA for training in the F/A-18 C Hornet. He received orders to the Vigilantes of VFA-151 and made two deployments to the Arabian Gulf on USS Constellation (CV 64) where he flew combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

CAPT Hurst reported to the Sharpshooters of VMFAT-101 in Miramar, CA in July of 2003 wherehe served as an instructor pilot and Carrier Qualification Phase Head. In July of 2005, he was assigned to the CVW-5 staff in Atsugi, Japan as a Carrier Air Wing Landing Signals Officer. He completed multiple deployments onboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) flying both F/A-18 C and E aircraft.

CAPT Hurst reported to the Royal Maces of VFA-27 in March of 2007, remaining in Japan for a second tour with the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. During this assignment, he served as department head in the administrative, safety, maintenance, and operations departments. He continued to deploy throughout the Pacific theater aboard USS Kitty Hawk and USS George Washington (CVN 73).

Following his department head tour, CAPT Hurst attended the United States Naval War College in Newport, RI where he completed JPME-I and graduated with a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

CAPT Hurst reported to the VFA-137 Kestrels as Executive Officer in November 2011 and immediately deployed with the squadron to the Arabian Gulf onboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The squadron earned the 2012 Battle Efficiency Award during this deployment while participating in combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

CAPT Hurst assumed command of VFA-137 in March 2013. During his tenure the squadron successfully completed five detachments and was awarded the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award. After completing his command tour in April 2014, CAPT Hurst received orders to the Office of the Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon where he served as an aviation analyst in the Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) Tactical Air Forces Division until March 2016. During this tour, he was selected for the Seminar XXI fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

CAPT Hurst assumed command of VFA-122, the Navy’s largest strike-fighter squadron, in May of 2016 where he supervised the combat training of naval aviators for fleet F/A-18 E/F squadrons until November of 2017. After his second command tour, he joined the Commander, Naval Air Forces staff and served in the Aviation Readiness Department until he was selected for aviation major command.

He is additionally qualified as a Navy Craftmaster and has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals and five Air Medals. He has amassed 3,900 total career flight hours and 1,040 carrier arrested landings on nine aircraft carriers. 

Last Updated: 6 June 2023