A native of Bettendorf, IA, Commander Jack “TOG” Culliton received his commission from the United States Naval Academy in 2009, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Upon commissioning, he received orders to Naval Air Station Pensacola for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API) training, followed by primary flight training with the Rangers of Training Squadron 28 (VT-28) and advanced Naval Aviator Training with the Wise Owls of Training Squadron 31 (VT-31) at Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, TX. In June 2011 he received his designation as a Naval Aviator and earned his “Wings of Gold”.

He received orders to the Roughnecks of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron SEVEN (VQ-7) at Tinker AFB, OK to continue advanced flight training in the E-6B Mercury where he qualified as an E-6B Pilot. His operational assignments include the Shadows of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron FOUR (VQ-4) where he served as Flight Operations Officer and Aviation Safety Officer and the Ironman Squadron of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron THREE (VQ-3) where he served as the Maintenance Officer.

His ashore assignments include C-26D station pilot, Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, Aide to Commander, Europe, Africa, Central Asia, Current Operations Officer (N31B) Strategic Communications Wing ONE/ Task Group 114.2 and Aide to Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command. He has also earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from Iowa State University.

Jack assumed the role of Executive Officer with the Shadows of VQ-4 in May 2025, leading 661 Sailors, Chief Petty Officers, and Naval Officers at Tinker AFB and NAS Patuxent River. He has successfully qualified as Mission Commander Evaluator, and Instructor Pilot across multiple platforms, logging more than 2,200 flight hours in the T-34/T-44/C-26/E-6B while conducting critical strategic Nuclear Command Control and Communications in direct support of the President, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, United States Fleet Forces Command, and United States Strategic Command. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and other campaign and unit awards.

Last Updated: 28 May 2025