VT-86 Leadership

Executive Officer

A native of Wisconsin, CDR Farina graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2008, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and commissioning through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program. CDR Farina reported to Pensacola, Florida and completed Primary and Intermediate phases of training with Training Squadron (VT) 4 and Advanced training with VT-86. She was winged as a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) in April 2011 and reported to the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 for initial training as a Weapons System Officer in the F/A-18F.

In February 2012 CDR Farina began her operational flying with the “Red Rippers” of VFA-11. With the Rippers, she completed her first combat deployment aboard the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. While in the Red Rippers she completed SFWT Level IV and held the jobs of Ground Safety, Operations Administration, Branch Officer, and Personnel Officer.

CDR Farina returned to VT-86 in February 2015 as an Instructor NFO in the T-45 and qualified as a Strike Fighter, All Weather Intercept (AWI) Instructor. She was the Adjutant, AWI Stage Manager, and Student Control Department Head (DH), and was selected as the VT-86 Instructor NFO of the Year in 2017.

In February 2018, CDR Farina reported to VFA-122 for refresher training in the Super Hornet and joined the “Black Aces” of VFA-41 in July of 2018. During her time as a Super Junior Officer in the Aces she deployed aboard the USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) in support of Operations FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and INHERENT RESOLVE.

CDR Farina began her DH tour with the VFA-2 “Bounty Hunters” in January 2021, where she deployed aboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) and served as the Safety Officer, Administration Officer, and Maintenance Officer. During her time as a Bullet, she qualified as Rescue Mission Commander and Air Interdiction Mission Commander.

Following her DH tour, CDR Farina served at the Joint Electromagnetic Warfare Center (JEWC) at JTSB-Lackland, San Antonio, TX. While at the JEWC, she supported the training, education, and assessment of electromagnetic spectrum operations personnel under Commander, United States Strategic Command’s Unified Command Plan responsibilities./p>

CDR Farina has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours and 453 carrier arrested landings across six Aircraft Carriers. Her awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign, and service awards.