TW1 Leadership

Commodore

Capt. Juston Kuch was raised in Valparaiso, Indiana, and graduated from Bradley University in 2000 with a degree in mechanical engineering. In October 2000, Kuch was commissioned through Officer Candidate School at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola and was designated a Naval Aviator at NAS Meridian, Mississippi, in January 2003.

After initial training in the F/A-18C Hornet, Kuch reported to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34. He embarked on a deployment onboard USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 67) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and then onboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) for a deployment to the western Pacific. In March 2007, he reported to Fallon, Nevada, completing Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and becoming a strike fighter tactics instructor. After graduating TOPGUN, he reported to Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic at NAS Oceana for duties as a strike fighter tactics instructor.

In August 2009, Kuch joined the "Jolly Rodgers" of VFA-103 as the training officer and deployed onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). In February 2011, he reported back to the VFA-34 as a department head, deploying twice onboard USS Abraham Lincoln for combat missions in support of OEF. While in VFA-34, the squadron was awarded of the 2012 "Battle E" and he was recipient of the 2012 Michael Longardt Leadership Award.

In November 2013, Kuch reported to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, graduating with distinction while obtaining a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the Joint Staff J-6 Directorate at the Pentagon.

In June 2018, Kuch reported as executive officer to VFA-34. He served as commanding officer of VFA-34 from November 2019 to March 2021. Following his command tour, he received orders to Naples, Italy where he served as the deputy commodore for Task Force 63. He is currently the Commander, Training Wing One.

Kuch has over 3,500 flight hours and 670 carrier landings and is the recipient of the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Medal (four awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal (thee awards) and various campaign and unit medals.