Captain Ryan T. Fulwider, a native of Neshanic Station, NJ, graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 2000 and was designated a Naval Aviator in August 2002.  He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College of Naval Command and Staff with a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies and designator in Irregular Warfare.
 
Following initial training in the F/A-18E/F, he joined VFA-2 where he completed two Western Pacific deployments aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), including Operation Unified Assistance and numerous multinational and joint exercises.  In April 2009 he reported to Carrier Air Wing ONE as an Air Wing Landing Signal Officer (LSO) and Safety Officer, where he deployed on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in support of Counter Piracy Operations in the Gulf of Oman and Operation Enduring Freedom.  He reported to VFA-154 in 2011 as a Department Head where he completed a deployment aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  From June 2016 to June 2019, CAPT Fulwider served as Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of the VFA-11 “Red Rippers,” leading the squadron through a seven-month deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and U.S. 6th Fleet Dynamic Force Employment aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).
 
Ashore, CAPT Fulwider served as an Instructor Pilot, Super Hornet Carrier Qualification Phase Head, and Tactical Demonstration Pilot at VFA-106.  Following his command tour, he served as the Navy Tactical Aircraft Program Analyst in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) where he was responsible for providing programmatic analysis on service systems and force structure for the Defense Department Planning, Programming, and Budgeting process.  Selected for the nuclear aviation pipeline, he is a graduate of Naval Nuclear Power School and reported in February 2023 as Executive Officer to USS Nimitz, homeported in Bremerton, WA.
 
CAPT Fulwider has accrued over 3200 total flight hours, including 217 combat hours, and 855 carrier arrested landings.  He is a two-time Commander, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet LSO of the Year.  His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4), and various other unit citations and campaign ribbons.