Squadron Augment Unit | VT-21

Commanding Officer

A native of Champaign, Illinois, Commander William "Chester" Mooney graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2004, earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management. Mooney was commissioned in 2004 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and reported to Vance Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma for flight training in June 2005.

After earning his "Wings of Gold" in August 2006, Mooney reported to the "Roughnecks" of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 7 at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma for initial fleet training as an E-6B "Mercury" pilot. Mooney's first operational assignment was with the "Ironmen" of VQ-3 from 2007-2010 where he completed two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and over a dozen detachments in support of the Navy's Airborne Nuclear Command and Control Mission. During his time with VQ-3, CDR Mooney was qualified as an Aircraft Commander, Mission Commander, and NATOPS Instructor and served as the Public Affairs Officer, Safety Officer, and Flight Officer.

In 2010, CDR Mooney reported to Training Air Wing 2 in Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville, Texas for training as an Instructor in the T-45C Goshawk. After transferring to the "Golden Eagles" of Training Squadron (VT) 22 as an Instructor, Mooney received his Initial Carrier Qualification and earned his qualification as a Standardization Pilot in all Phase One, Low-Level, Weapons Delivery, and Tactical Formation Events. Mooney was also selected as an Associate Flight Instructor Training Unit (FITU) Instructor.

In 2013, Mooney was selected for duty as a Full Time Support (FTS) Officer and reported to the "Redhawks" of VT-21 at NAS Kingsville, Texas as the Student Control Officer.

CDR Mooney left Active Duty in late 2015 to join the VT-22 "Old Dawgs" Squadron Augment Unit (SAU) where he served as the Administrative Officer, Operations Officer, and Executive Officer. CDR Mooney took command of the VT-21 SAU in January of 2023.

Mooney has flown over 3,000 hours in naval aircraft with over 2,000 of those in the Goshawk. Personal decorations include the Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and other service and unit awards.