VT-35 Leadership

Executive Officer

A native of Batavia, Illinois, CDR Matt O'Connell began his naval career in August 2000 by enlisting as an Aviation Electronics Technician (AT). In 2003, he applied for and was accepted into the Seaman to Admiral Program and received his commission in 2006.

He earned his undergraduate from Oregon State University, his graduate from the University of Arkansas, and Joint Professional Military Education Phase I from Air Command and Staff College.

During his operational tours, O'Connell served as an AT with HSL-37 in Kaneohe, HI, a P-3C pilot with VP-5 in Jacksonville, FL, the Assistant Operations Officer onboard USS CARL VINSON in San Diego, CA, and then returned to VP-5 as a P-8A pilot and Operations Officer.

He has deployed to 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleets and conducted mission flights in support of OPERATION UNIFIED RESPONSE, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF), and OEF-HORN OF AFRICA. He was awarded the Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three), and various campaign, unit and service awards.

O'Connell's shore tours include serving as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor at the Weapons Tactics Unit of CPRW-11 in Jacksonville, FL, and as the Current Operations Officer at CTF-72 in Misawa, Japan.

His positional qualifications include Mission Commander, Instructor Pilot, Functional Check Flight Pilot, Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Officer of the Deck (Underway), and Command Duty Officer (Underway).

CDR O'Connell is excited to return to the VT-35 Stingrays as the XO after earning his wings as a student from the same command in 2008.