Capt. Patrick T. Baker
Commanding Officer, USS Lewis B. Puller Gold Crew
16 January 2024
Capt. Patrick Baker grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in French, while playing ice hockey goalie all four years.
Capt. Baker attended NFO flight training in Pensacola, FL, receiving his Wings of Gold in January 2002. After F-14D Tomcat Radar Intercept Officer training at VF-101 ”Grim Reapers”, he joined VF-2 “Bounty Hunters” in October 2002 for their final Tomcat cruise and participated in Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom. In spring of 2004, he was part of the first F/A-18F Super Hornet crew to graduate from the United States Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One.
Following his first fleet tour, Capt. Baker completed the Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Course at the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in Fallon, NV and then served as an instructor at the Strike Fighter Weapon School Atlantic (SFWSL) where he was the FAC(A) Program Manager and Combat Systems subject matter expert. After SFWSL, he reported to the “Checkmates” of VFA-211 as Training Officer. He then reported to the United States Naval Postgraduate School, graduating in 2011 with a Master of Arts in Security Studies focused on Russia and Eastern Europe and presented his thesis at the Brookings Institute in Washington, DC.
Post refresher training at VFA-122, Capt. Baker reported as a department head to the “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 as part of Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Atsugi, Japan. In June 2014 he reported as Training Officer to the “Gladiators” of VFA-106, overseeing all aspects of FRS replacement and refresher aircrew training until February 2017, whereupon he joined VFA-213 “Blacklions” as the Executive Officer.
As Executive Officer, Baker contributed to the Blacklions’ historic 2017 combat cruise in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In May 2018, he assumed command of VFA-213. During his command tour, VFA-213 was awarded the 2018 COMNAVAIRLANT Grand Slam Award as the most proficient air to air squadron on the east coast. He was selected for the AVN pipeline and successfully completed Navy Nuclear Power School (with distinction) and Navy Nuclear Prototype Training in spring 2021.
Capt. Baker reported as Executive Officer of USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN in December 2021 and after LINCOLN’s full 2022 western Pacific deployment and on time completion of her FY23 PIA, turned over duties as XO in August 2023. Capt. Baker assumed command of Gold crew USS LEWIS B. PULLER on 14 Dec 2023.
Capt. Baker has over 3600 flight hours, 300 combat flight hours and 830 arrested landings. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Strike Flight Air Medal (four awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards, one with combat distinguishing device), Navy Achievement Medal, various campaign and unit medals and selection as the 2009 CSFWL Weapons System Officer of the Year.