VT-31 Leadership

Executive Officer

Cmdr. Matthew C. "Safelite" Price, a native of Midlothian, Texas, graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management in 2007.

Cmdr. Price earned his Wings of Gold in October 2010 and after completing his E- 2C initial training, reported to the "Tigertails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 at Naval Station (NS) Norfolk, Virginia. He served as the Automated Data Processing Officer, Communications Material System Officer, Aircraft Division Officer, Schedules Officer, and Pilot Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Officer. During this tour, he deployed on board USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) areas of responsibility (AOR) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and multiple multi-national and joint exercises.

In February 2015, Cmdr. Price joined the "Greyhawks" of Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) VAW-120 in Norfolk, Virginia, as an instructor pilot. While at VAW-120, Cmdr. Price served as the Fleet Transition Officer and E-2D NATOPS and Program Manager, leading E-2D operational squadrons and FRS Category 1 students through their platform transitions and carrier qualifications.

Following instructor duty in September 2017, Cmdr. Price reported to the "Bluetails" of VAW-121 at Norfolk, Virginia, serving as the Training Officer deployed on board USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) in the Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

In February 2018, Cmdr. Price reported to the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island where he participated in the Halsey Bravo Advanced Research Program examining potential military challenges in the Middle East. While at the Naval War College, he completed JPME Phase 1 and received his Master’s Degree in Defense and Strategic Studies.

Cmdr. Price then reported to the "Bluetails" of VAW-121 for his department head tour in September 2019 and served as the Safety Officer, Administrative Officer, Maintenance Officer, and Operations Officer. While attached to the "Bluetails," he deployed to the Fifth Fleet AOR on board the USS ABRAHAM LINCON (CVN 72) with the squadron winning the CY-19 Battle "E" award.

In April 2022, Cmdr. Price reported to U.S. Northern Command, J34 Mission Assurance Branch as a Mission Assurance Planner and was subsequently promoted to the Mission Assurance Branch Chief position. In February 2023 he was selected to assume the position of the Joint Operations Center (JOC) Deputy Command Center Director (DCCD).

Cmdr. Price has accumulated over 2,300 hours with 1,900 hours in the E-2 Hawkeye and has logged over 500 left and right seat carrier arrested landings. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Navy Commendation Medal (2), Navy Achievement Medal, and other individual, unit, and campaign awards.