Naval Base Coronado Welcomes a New Executive Officer

Naval Base Coronado welcomed a new executive officer on Friday—Capt. Greg McWherter. He joins Commanding Officer Captain Christopher E. Sund and Command Master Chief CMDCM (SW/AW) Steven F. Alt. 

Naval Base Coronado released the following bio for Capt. McWherter: 
Captain Greg McWherter is a native of Atlanta, GA and graduate of Avondale HS, where he lettered in football and soccer. He attended The Citadel, where he played NCAA Division 1 soccer for the Bulldogs, graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Civil Engineering, and received a commission through NROTC in 1990. He entered aviation training at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola in June 1990 and flew the T-34C Mentor at nearby NAS Whiting Field, before moving to NAS Meridian, MS, to fly the T-2C Buckeye and TA-4J Skyhawk. CAPT McWherter earned his Wings of Gold in September 1992.

In November 1992, he reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106) at NAS Cecil Field, FL. Upon completion of initial FA-18 Hornet training, he received orders to the “Wildcats” of VFA-131, where he served as Landing Signals Officer, Weapons Training Officer, and Quality Assurance Officer. From October 1993 to February 1997, he completed two workups and deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf aboard USS George Washington (CVN-73). In May 1995, CAPT McWherter graduated from the United States Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and was selected as VFA-131’s Pilot of the Year in 1996.

In March 1997, he was selected to report to NAS Fallon, NV, as a TOPGUN Instructor, where he served as Training Officer and the Navy’s Subject Matter Expert on short-range missiles, Cueing Systems, and Air-to-Air Employment. CAPT McWherter returned to the fleet in March 2000 as Tactics Officer and Department Head for VFA-34 at NAS Oceana, VA. During his tour with the “Blue Blasters”, he completed two more 6 month deployments aboard CVN-73 and was selected by his peers to receive the 2003 Commander, Naval Air Forces Leadership Award.

In August 2003, CAPT McWherter transferred to the US Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, VA. Within the J8 Directorate, he served as the Joint Close Air Support Branch Chief and was responsible for developing interoperability solutions across DoD. During his Joint tour, Greg graduated from the College of Distance Education at the Naval War College. In March 2006, CAPT McWherter reported as Executive Officer of VFA-192 in Atsugi, Japan and commanded the “World Famous Golden Dragons” through three major deployments aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) from June 2007 until July 2008.

CAPT McWherter served as the Commanding Officer and Flight Leader of the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, from November 2008 until November 2010. After a brief tour with the Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), Greg again commanded the Blue Angels from May 2011 until November 2012 and was awarded the annual International Council of Air Shows special achievement award for his leadership and contributions to the North American Air Show Industry. CAPT McWherter’s most recent tour was as the Director of Officer Development for Naval Service Training Command.

CAPT McWherter has accumulated over 5,500 flight hours and 950 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include the Legion of Merit (2 awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), three Air Medals (Strike Flight), and various other personal, campaign, and unit awards.