Squadron Augment Unit | VT-4

Commanding Officer

Commander Sean "Rackle" Fitzgerald is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan and enlisted in the Navy in July 1994, serving as an air traffic controller on both the USS Constellation and NAS North Island. In June 2000 CDR Fitzgerald successfully completed the one year BOOST program in Newport, RI and reported to University of San Diego NROTC Unit. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from USD in 2003.

CDR Fitzgerald completed basic and intermediate Naval Flight Officer (NFO) training at VT-4 in Pensacola, FL and continued advanced NFO training in the E-2C Hawkeye at VAW-120 in Norfolk, VA. After receiving his Wings of Gold in August 2005 he reported to the Tigertails of VAW-125 in Carrier Air Wing 7 aboard the USS Eisenhower. While attached with VAW-125 he served as Communications Officer, Mission Planning Officer, Line Division Officer and NATOPS Officer. He completed one deployment as a member of the Tigertails providing support to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In October 2008, CDR Fitzgerald was assigned to Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center in San Diego, CA as the Air Intercept Control Division Officer. In July 2011, CDR Fitzgerald reported to Al Udied Air Base in Qatar for a one year Global Support Assignment at the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC). After completing his GSA, CDR Fitzgerald reported to Training Squadron Ten in August 2012 as an NFO instructor in the T-39 Sabreliner. In 2013 he was hand selected to help recommission VT-4 as the Admin Officer.

CDR Fitzgerald transitioned to the Naval Reserves in 2015 by joining the VT-4 Squadron Augment Unit (SAU). While assigned to the VT-4 SAU he helped start the Multi-Crew Simulator (MCS) training in the E-2 pipeline. He has also served as the Administrative Officer, Training Officer, Operations Officer, Executive Officer and was recently selected to be the Commanding Officer of the VT-4 SAU.