VT-7 Leadership

Executive Officer

A native of Merritt Island, FL, Commander Ordway graduated from Jacksonville University in 2002, earning a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management and Flight Operations. CDR Ordway was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program and reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training in June 2002. He earned his Naval Aviator Wings in November 2008. In December 2008, CDR Ordway reported to the VFA-122 "Flying Eagles" for initial fleet training in the F/A-18E/F.

CDR Ordway began his operational flying in December 2008 with the "Kestrels" of VFA-137. While a "Kestrel" he made two combat deployments aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72), participating in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation NEW DAWN.

CDR Ordway reported to the VT-7 "Eagles" in November 2012 as a flight instructor for his production tour. In June of 2015, he was awarded Training Wing One instructor pilot of the year.

CDR Ordway returned to the fleet as the Strike Operations Officer of Carrier Strike Group Twelve (CSG-12) in January 2017. Following a successful second-sea tour, he reported to the VFA-81 "Sunliners" for his Department Head tour, where the squadron was awarded the Battle-E in 2019. While with the Liners, he completed two deployments aboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) in support of Dynamic Force Employment and Operation FREEDOM'S SENTINEL, serving as both Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer.

Following his department head tour, CDR Ordway entered the in-residence Masters of Business Administration Financial Management program at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterrey, CA. Receiving his diploma in June of 2022, he graduated with honors and was awarded the CNAF Award for Excellence in Aviation Warfare for his "outstanding" thesis.

He selected for squadron command in March 2021 and has returned full circle to VT-7, currently serving as the Executive Officer of VT-7.

CDR Ordway has accumulated over 3000 flight hours and 500 carrier arrested landings, including 58 combat missions. His awards include the Strike/Flight Air Medal (2 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards) and various service awards and ribbons.