TW4 R.C. Leadership

Commander

Cmdr. Michael T. Mills is a native of Corpus Christi, Texas. He graduated from Northwestern University, earning a Bachelor of Science in communication studies in May of 1999. He commissioned in June of 1999, and completed primary flight training with the "Rangers" of Training Squadron (VT) 28 and advanced flight training with the "Stingrays" of VT-35 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, earning his naval aviator wings in May of 2001. From there, he went on to the "Pro's Nest" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 30 the U.S. Navy's Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Fleet Replacement Squadron in Jacksonville, Florida, for initial training in the P-3C Orion.

Following his training in the fleet replacement squadron, he reported to VP-40 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, in February of 2002. There, he completed a deployment to Japan as well as a deployment to Diego Garcia, qualifying as a patrol plane commander, mission commander, functional check pilot, and instructor pilot. While at VP-40, Mills worked as the scheduling officer, maintenance quality assurance division officer, training officer, and air warfare division officer.

In March of 2005, Mills was assigned to the "Boomers" of VT-27 as a T-34C Turbo-Mentor instructor pilot. While at VT-27, Mills served as the ground training officer and pilot training officer. He established what is now known as the Flight Instructor Training Unit, which trains the incoming Training Air Wing (TW) 4 flight instructors. Mills served three years on active duty and two years with the Selected Reserve (SELRES) of VT-27 before reassignment to the "Eagles" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 46 at NAS Joint Reserve Base (JRB) Fort Worth, Texas. While at VR-46, Mills flew the C-9B Skytrain, providing continual worldwide air logistical support to the fleet. Mills served with VR-46 for two years until the squadron was deactivated in 2012. He returned to TW 4 and the VT-35 Squadron Augmentation Unit as an advanced multi-engine instructor pilot, flying the TC-12B Huron and the T-44C Pegasus.

Mills has logged over 4,100 hours in various U.S. Navy aircraft. His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), and various campaign and unit awards.