Capt. Thomas Lovett
Chief of Staff, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8
06 December 2023
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Captain Lovett graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in 1994, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry. CAPT Lovett enlisted in 1996. He joined the USS KITTY HAWK in San Diego, CA after Electronics Technician (ET) A and C Schools and participated in the change of homeport to Yokosuka, Japan. While deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in 1999 he was accepted into Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, FL, where he received his commission in September of 1999. Upon completion of VT-10 and VT-86 he was winged a Naval Flight Officer in January of 2001. He reported to VAQ-129 in February of 2001 for initial fleet training as an EA-6B Electronic Countermeasures Officer.
CAPT Lovett began his operational flying career in March 2002 with the BLACK RAVENS of VAQ 135. While a BLACK RAVEN, he deployed aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), participating in two phases of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
In January of 2005 he reported to VAQ-129 as a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor. There he attained the qualifications of CQ Instructor ECMO, NVG and NATOPS Instructor, and graduated from the Electronic Attack Weapons School with a Prowler Tactics Instructor qualification.
CAPT Lovett reported to his first tour as a LANCER of VAQ-131 as their Training Officer in January of 2008. He made a deployment aboard the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72), participating in Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM.
In November of 2009, CAPT Lovett was assigned as a Department Head to the PATRIOTS of VAQ-140. While with the PATRIOTS, he completed a deployment aboard USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER (CVN 69) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and an expeditionary deployment to Aviano, Italy in support of Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR, serving as both Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer. While assigned to VAQ-140, CAPT Lovett was selected as “2010 Electronic Attack Tactics Instructor of the Year”.
CAPT Lovett completed his Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies at the Naval War College in Newport, RI in June 2012. From there he reported to the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) as an Exercise Planning Branch Chief and finished his tour as the Chief of Wargames and Exercises in MDA’s Director for Test, Warfighter Support, Wargames and Exercises Branch.
In November 2016, after transitioning to the EA-18G Growler, CAPT Lovett reported back to the LANCERS of VAQ-131 as the Executive Officer and in January of 2018 became the Commanding Officer. In 2017, the squadron completed the first EA-18G combat deployment for VAQ-131 in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE on board the USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77).
In August 2019, CAPT Lovett reported aboard the USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) for duty as the Air Boss. There he led 589 Air Department Sailors on an 11-month combat deployment in support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE, ENDURING FREEDOM, and OCTAVE QUARTZ.
In January of 2022, CAPT Lovett became the first Commanding Officer of VAQ-144 the “MAIN BATTERY” as he commissioned that squadron as the 15th standing VAQ squadron in the Navy. He passed the torch in March 2023 and moved onto the Chief-of-Staff position for Carrier Strike Group EIGHT in Virginia. CAPT Lovett has accumulated over 3,400 flight hours and 700 carrier-arrested landings, including 120 combat missions and 800 combat hours. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Strike/Flight Air Medal (6 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards) and various other personal and service awards.