VT-21 Leadership

Executive Officer

Commander Michael "Jeeves" Hooten is a native of Westminster, Colorado. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder before he was commissioned in November 2005 from Officer Candidate School onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. He also holds a Master of Business Administration in Financial Management, earned from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He earned his Wings of Gold in February 2008 after completing initial jet training at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas. CDR Hooten then reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA-122) "Flying Eagles" onboard Naval Air Station Lemoore, California for initial fleet training in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

CDR Hooten reported to his first operational squadron, the "Kestrels" of VFA-137 stationed at NAS Lemoore, California in February 2009. As a Kestrel, he completed two deployments onboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN72) conducting U.S. 5th Fleet operations in Afghanistan and Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. During this time the Kestrels earned the Battle "E" for operational excellence in 2012. His other operational assignments include Carrier Air Wing 11 (CVW11) Landing Signals Officer (LSO) attached to USS NIMITZ (CVN68), as well as a Department Head tour, once again with the "Kestrels" of VFA-137, where he deployed twice to the Western Pacific in support of U.S. 7th Fleet operations onboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN70) between winter 2017 and summer 2018.

Ashore, CDR Hooten served as a F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) Instructor Pilot and LSO with VFA-122 from April 2012 to December 2014. Following his Department Head tour with the Kestrels, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California where he studied Financial Management. He graduated in June 2021 and was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate and was awarded the Conrad Scholar for Excellence in Financial Management, as well as the Award for Academic Excellence in Financial Management. Following his graduation, CDR Hooten remained at the Naval Postgraduate School where he served as the Deputy Dean of Students until his departure in August 2022.

Commander Hooten is qualified as a Naval Aviator, Staff Landing Signals Officer, Aviation Safety Officer, and Air Interdiction Mission Commander. He was Top Hook for USS CARL VINSON on deployment in 2018. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (four awards), and various unit and campaign awards. He has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours with over 40 combat missions and 500 arrestments in the F/A-18 aircraft.