VT-86 Leadership

Commanding Officer

Cmdr. Daniel "Yao" Gauvin is a native of Coos Bay, Oregon. He attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in naval architecture. He was winged as a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) upon completion of flight training at Training Squadron (VT) 86 in August 2007, then reported to the "Flying Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122 for initial F/A-18F training.

In November 2008, Gauvin joined the "Diamondbacks" of VFA-102 in Atsugi, Japan. During his tour, he deployed multiple times throughout the US Indo-Pacific Command Area Of Responsibility (AOR) onboard USS George Washington (CVN 73).

After completing his first sea tour in December 2011, Gauvin returned to the "Golden Eagles" for duty as an Instructor Weapons System Officer (IWSO). There, he served in the Operations department as schedules officer, assistant tactical demo coordinator, and head schedules officer.

Following his instructor tour, he reported to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 as Strike Operations Officer from August 2014 until October 2016. In October 2016, Gauvin reported to Newport, Rhode Island for a year of study at the U.S. Naval War College, earning a Masters of Arts with distinction in National Security and Strategic Studies.

In July 2018, Gauvin reported to the "Swordsmen" of VFA-32 in Oceana, Virginia, as a department head. He served as administrative officer, assistant operations officer, and operations officer. Gauvin deployed to the U.S. Central Command AOR in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel onboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).

In October 2020, Gauvin reported to US Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for duty as a Watch Commander, focusing on U.S. theater and strategic ballistic missile defense missions.

Gauvin currently serves as the commanding officer of the "Sabrehawks" of VT-86 in Pensacola, Florida.

During his career, he has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours in the F/A-18F, T-2C, T-39, T-1A and T-6A.

His personal decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal as well as various campaign, squadron, and unit awards.