Commander Matthew A. Hepfinger is a native of Holliston, MA and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2007 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida and a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College.
 
Winged as a Naval Aviator in Corpus Christi, TX in November 2008, Commander Hepfinger then completed initial flight training in the P-3C at Patrol Squadron THIRTY in Jacksonville, FL. His first operational tour was with Patrol Squadron TWO SIX in Brunswick, ME where he conducted a homeport shift to Jacksonville, FL, deployed three times to the FIFTH Fleet and SIXTH Fleet areas of responsibility (AOR), and qualified as a Maritime Weapons and Tactics Instructor.
 
In April 2013, Commander Hepfinger joined Patrol Squadron THIRTY as a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) Instructor Pilot where he completed his transition to the P-8A. While at the FRS, he served as the first P-8A Line Division Officer and as a Fleet NATOPS Evaluator where he directly contributed to the publication of the first Promulgated P-8A NATOPS Manual. He also served as the Pilot Instructor Under Training/Standardization Officer.
 
Commander Hepfinger then served as the Flag Aide to Commander, Carrier Strike Group ONE, embarked on the USS CARL VINSON, and completed a deployment to the SEVENTH Fleet AOR.
 
He was selected for Department Head and joined the War Eagles of Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN where he served as the Safety/NATOPS Officer, Training Officer, and Operations Officer. He deployed to the FOURTH, FIFTH, and SEVENTH Fleet AORs, supported multiple operational detachments in the SIXTH Fleet AOR, and served as the Officer in Charge of an operational detachment to the FIFTH Fleet AOR.
 
Commander Hepfinger was selected for Operational Command in 2021 and currently serves as the Patrol Squadron NINE Executive Officer. His awards include the Air Medal (Strike/Flight) and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards) as well as various unit and campaign awards.