VT-21 Redhawks
// Training Air Wing Two
VT-21 Leadership
Executive Officer
A native of Cary, North Carolina, CDR Zak Matthews graduated from Cornell University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and was commissioned via the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC). Following graduation and commissioning, he received orders to Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. After follow-on flight training at NAS Corpus Christi and NAS Meridian, CDR Matthews earned his wings of gold in February 2010.
CDR Matthews received orders to fly F/A-18C Hornets, initially training with the Gladiators of Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO SIX (VFA-106) based at NAS Oceana. In February 2011, he reported to the Ragin' Bulls of Strike Fighter Squadron THREE SEVEN (VFA-37) where he served as Schedules Officer, Avionics and Armament Division Officer, Weapons and Tactics Officer, Assistant Operations Officer and as a Landing Signal Officer (LSO). While aboard the Ragin' Bulls, he made one deployment in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, flying 20 combat missions over Afghanistan.
In December 2013, CDR Matthews was selected to attend the French Basic Course at the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA. Upon completion, he was assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE (VX-9) at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake as an Operational Test Director (OTD). During this tour, he led the Operational Assessment of the Infrared Search and Track (IRST) Block I and wrote the test plan for the 27C Hornet System Configuration Set (SCS) while serving as the head LSO.
CDR Matthews left VX-9 in July of 2017 and reported to the Stingers of Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ONE THREE (VFA-113) for his Department Head tour. He left for cruise in October 2017 onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT for a combat deployment in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, where he flew 13 combat missions over Iraq and Syria. While aboard VFA-113, CDR Matthews served as the Safety Officer, Administration Officer, Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer.
In March of 2019 CDR Matthews was selected to be an Olmsted Scholar and studied economics and political science at the Escuela Superior de EconomÃa y Administración de Empresas in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In March of 2022 CDR Matthews was selected for OP-T Command and slated for VT-21 in NAS Kingsville.
CDR Matthews has accumulated over 1800 flight hours and 300 carrier arrested landings. In addition to various campaign, service, and unit awards, CDR Matthews's personal awards include the Strike Flight Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two) and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two).
