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Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151 “Vigilantes”

Commander Preston J. Ochoa

Commanding Officer, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151

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VIRIN: 240508-N-CO000-1001
A native of Camarillo, California, Commander Ochoa graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2007, earning a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering.  After commissioning, CDR Ochoa reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training in June 2007.  He continued flight training with VT-27 at NAS Corpus Christi, TX and VT-22 at NAS Kingsville, TX, earning his Wings of Gold in July 2009.  In September 2009, CDR Ochoa reported to the VFA-122 “Flying Eagles” at NAS Lemoore, California for initial fleet training in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. 
 
CDR Ochoa joined his first operational squadron in August 2010 with VFA-147.  While an “Argonaut”, he made two deployments aboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) and USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), participating in Operation NEW DAWN and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  During this tour, CDR Ochoa served as a Landing Signal Officer, Power Plants Branch Officer, Line Division Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer.  
 
CDR Ochoa reported back to the “Flying Eagles” of VFA-122 in December 2013 as an Instructor Pilot and Landing Signal Officer.  He then reported to CVW-2 as Air Wing Landing Signal Officer during the 2015 Southern Seas deployment aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73).  CVW-2 subsequently completed a Western Pacific deployment aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) in 2017.
After sea duty, CDR Ochoa attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and earned a Master of Arts in Defense and Security Studies in June 2018.  Following graduation, CDR Ochoa returned to NAS Lemoore, CA for training once again with the “Flying Eagles” of VFA-122 before joining the “Tophatters” of VFA-14.
 
During his Department Head tour with VFA-14, CDR Ochoa deployed aboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) participating in Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.  Upon completion with his fleet Department Head tour, CDR Ochoa returned to VFA-122 as the Safety Department Head in August 2021. 
 
He selected for squadron command in March 2021 and reported to VFA-151 as Executive Officer in January 2023.  CDR Ochoa has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours and over 600 carrier arrested landings.  His awards include the Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various service awards and ribbons.

Leaders

Commander Preston J. Ochoa

Commanding Officer, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151

Commander Brian M. Hanson

Executive Officer, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151

Command Master Chief Branden J Wilkins

Command Master Chief, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151


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