VT-86 Leadership

Executive Officer

A native of Elmhurst, Illinois, Cmdr. Joseph Seida commissioned in May of 2008 from the University of Illinois NROTC with a bachelors in Aviation Human Factors. Seida reported to Pensacola, Florida, and completed primary and intermediate phases of training with the "Warbucks" of Training Squadron (VT) 4 and advanced training with the "Sabrehawks" of VT-86. He was winged as a Naval Flight Officer in June 2010 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 June 2011, Seida joined the fleet as a member of the "Blacklions" of VFA-213 where he completed two combat deployments aboard USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77). In 2011, he flew combat missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. In 2014, he flew combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the first flights in what would become Operation Inherent Resolve.

Seida was selected to attend the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and graduated in December 2014. He received follow-on orders to the "Vampires" of Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9. He performed operational test on multiple combat systems, software updates, and new weapons for the F/A-18 and E/A-18G, was an Operational Test Director, and Training Officer.

In September 2017, Seida reported to the "Jolly Rogers" of VFA-103 for his training officer tour. The squadron deployed in 2019 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). While on station in the North Arabian Sea the squadron flew combat missions into Afghanistan as part of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

In November 2019, Seida returned to the "Blacklions" of VFA-213 to begin his department head tour. He served as the quality assurance, administration, and operations officer. The squadron was assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and completed multiple at sea-periods in support of the first in class carrier's maturity.

In October 2022, Seida reported to joint duty at U.S. European Command (EUCOM) in Stuttgart, Germany. He oversaw exercise and real world planning and crisis response, order writing, readiness assessments, and was deployed to Israel to represent EUCOM's interests during the Israel-Hamas war.

Seida has accumulated more than 2,400 flight hours and 400 carrier arrested landings. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (two Strike/Flight awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal (two awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign, and service awards.