Capt. Matthew Lambert
Chief of Staff, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12
14 February 2024
CAPT Matthew J. Lambert, a native of Jacksonville, FL, graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2001, earning a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs. Following primary flight training in Pensacola, Florida, he was selected into the E-2C Hawkeye community and earned his “Wings of Gold” as a Naval Flight Officer on February 7, 2003.
In July of 2003, he reported to the VAW-117 “Wallbangers” in Pt. Mugu, CA, where he completed numerous Pacific deployments aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) and USS REAGAN (CVN 76) that included multiple deployments in support of OPERATIONS IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.
After his initial operational tour, CAPT Lambert was selected for Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) duty at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) and the Carrier Airborne Early Weapons School (CAEWWS) at NAS Fallon, NV, where he taught the E-2 and EP-3 weapon school (N6), rotary wing weapons school (N8), Strike U (N5), P-3 weapons course and at the Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Course.
Following his instructor tour, he reported to the VAW-113 “Black Eagles,” Pt. Mugu, CA, as Weapons and Tactics Instructor and Training Department Head where he deployed on the USS REAGAN (CVN 76) in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.
In 2010, he reported to the 45th Special Operations Squadron supporting OPERATIONS IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and ENDURING FREEDOM conducting combat search and rescue (CSAR) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
CAPT Lambert’s next assignment was as assistant operations officer and acting operations officer for Commander Airborne Command and Control and Logistic Wing (CACCLW). In 2012, he was a Service Chiefs Fellow at the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA). Following DARPA, he returned to VAW-113 as department head where he served as Training Officer, Safety Officer, and Operations Officer.
In September of 2015, CAPT Lambert reported to Joint Staff, J8 at the Pentagon where he served as the Chairman’s capability and acquisition strategic analyst on the entire department’s command and control and communications portfolios. He also was chosen as the command and control lead for the multi-agency Chairman’s Joint Staff Innovation Group developing Fourth Offset concepts and technologies. While assigned to the Joint Staff, CAPT Lambert completed his Master of Military History from Norwich University.
Following Joint Staff, CAPT Lambert reported as Officer in Charge, CACCLW Det Norfolk and Officer in Charge, MQ-25 Fleet Introduction Team where he was responsible for all E-2/C-2/CMV-22 activities on the East Coast and MQ-25 milestones.
In 2019, he reported as Executive Officer, VAW-123 “Screwtops” deploying on USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. During the 2020 deployment, CAPT Lambert assumed command of the World Famous “Screwtops” and returned to for the USS EISENHOWER’s second deployment supporting OPERATIONS ENDURING FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE.
Most recently, he served as the only permanently afloat Maritime Operations Center Director with CTF-70 / CSG-5 aboard USS RONALD REAGAN, stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, where he deployed numerous times with robust coalition and allied support throughout the Western Pacific.
CAPT Lambert has accumulated over 3000 flight hours in the multiple aircraft. His personal decorations are a testament to the sailors and civilians with whom he has had the honor to serve.