Cmdr. James McMillan

Chief of Staff, Carrier Strike Group TWO

29 January 2026

Commander James McMillan is a native of Virginia Beach, VA, and a 2005 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in History. He was designated as a Naval Aviator in September 2007, and reported for initial F/A-18 E/F training with the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO SIX (VFA-106) at NAS Oceana, VA.

Operationally, he served in numerous fighter squadrons flying the F/A-18 A/C/E/F. His fleet assignments include the “Jolly Rogers” of Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO THREE (VFA-103); Staff Landing Signal Officer (LSO) in Carrier Air Wing EIGHT (CVW-8); department head with the “Tomcatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron THREE ONE (VFA-31); and Commanding Officer of the “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron TWO SEVEN (VFA-27) stationed at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. He has made four combat deployments and three Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) patrol cycles to the Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Gulf, and Indo-Pacific regions.

Ashore, CDR McMillan served as an instructor pilot, Carrier Qualification phase head, and FRS Tactical Demonstration team lead at VFA-106; and a desk officer, branch chief, and program manager on the Joint Staff, Joint Training Directorate (J7) in Suffolk, VA; during which, he earned an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2023.

In January 2026, CDR McMillan reported as the Chief of Staff to Commander, Carrier Strike Group TWO (CSG-2) in Norfolk, VA.  

CDR McMillan has flown over 4,000 F/A-18 flight hours, including more than 100 combat sorties and 1,000 carrier arrested landings.  His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Strike/Flight Air Medal (6 awards); Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards); and various unit, service, and campaign awards.