Squadron Augment Unit | VT-6

Commanding Officer

CDR Matthew Diebolt spent his childhood through joining the Navy in San Diego, California. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego in May 2002. He earned his commission through Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida in June 2007.

Upon Commissioning he stayed at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination, then completed primary flight training with the Boomers of VT-27 at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas in May 2008. Following a designation as a Naval Aviator in December 2008, he reported to the VQ-7 “Roughnecks” onboard Tinker Air Force Base Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for initial training in the E-6B Mercury.

CDR Diebolt’s first operational assignment was with FAIRECONRON (VQ) Three “Ironman” at Tinker Air Force Base where he deployed to multiple AORs including exercises in Europe, the Pacific and across the USA. As an Ironman he served as the Lead NATOPS Instructor and Mission Commander Evaluator amongst other qualifications.

CDR Diebolt reported to Training Squadron (VT) Six “Shooters” at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida in June 2012. He completed the Fixed Wing Instructor Training Unit (FITU) and was designated an Instructor Pilot in the T-6B Texan II. During this tour he served as the NATOPS Officer, was a Standardization Instructor in all phases of Primary Flight Training, was a qualified Functional Check Pilot and was selected to Instruct new IPs at the FITU. He was awarded the Rotary Club Instructor of the Year in 2014.

In June of 2015, CDR Diebolt was assigned to the USS Theodore Roosevelt, CVN 71, as a Catapult Launch and Recovery Officer “Shooter”. He joined the Ship on a deployment supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, where he was quickly qualified as an Arresting Gear Officer and Catapult Officer. He also served as the V-2 Division Officer, where he was responsible for the administration and leadership of the largest Division on the Ship.

After leaving active duty in December 2016, CDR Diebolt transferred to the United States Navy Reserve, and was board selected to return to VT-6 this time to the Squadron Augment Unit as a Selected Reservist.

In November 2025 CDR Diebolt took Command of Training Squadron Six “Shooters” Squadron Augment Unit at NAS Whiting Field, Florida.

His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) and various campaign and service medals. CDR Diebolt has over 3000 flight hours in the E-6B, T-34, and T-6 to include over 1800 hours as an instructor.