Lieutenant Commander John Saccomando was born in Buffalo,
New York, and spent the first part of his childhood there. He then moved to Burke,
Virginia where he played baseball and golf. He graduated from James W. Robinson
Secondary in 1990. He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia,
and graduated with honor earning a Bachelor of Science degree in applied mathematics
with minors in history and American literature. He earned his commission upon graduation
via the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps in September 1994.
John first reported to Georgia Tech Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit as a Naval
Science instructor. In May 1995, John reported to flight school at Naval Air Station (NAS)
Pensacola, Florida. Shortly thereafter, he attended primary flight training at NAS
Corpus Christi, Texas, and then he transferred to NAS Meridian, Mississippi, for intermediate
and advanced flight training. While there, he flew the T-2C Buckeye and TA-4J Skyhawk and
was awarded the Chief of Naval Aviation Training’s Top Gun award for outstanding air combat
performance and the Commodore's Battle “E” award for precision bombing. He earned his wings
of gold in May 1997. John then reported to Fighter Squadron 101 (VF 101) “Grim Reapers” at
NAS Oceana, Virginia, for training in the F-14D Tomcat.
After completing his initial qualification, John reported to the VF 213 “Blacklions” where
he served as the NATOPS officer, line/troubleshooter division officer, air-to-ground weapons
training officer, forward air controller (airborne) training officer and head landing signal
officer. While attached to VF 213, John completed two extended deployments aboard the aircraft
carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), flying more than 50 combat missions in support of Operations
Desert Fox, Southern Watch, and Enduring Freedom.
In January 2002, John reported to the Fighter Squadron 101 “Grim Reapers” as an F-14 Tomcat
flight instructor. While at VF 101, John served as aircraft division officer, weapons and
combat systems phase leader, and landing signals officer. Along with teaching replacement
radar intercept officers the fundamentals of the F-14A/B/D Tomcat, John also taught replacement
pilots air combat maneuvering and how to land Tomcats on aircraft carriers during both day
and night operations. In January 2003, John was selected to the F-14 Tomcat Demonstration Team.
While on the team, John flew more than 40 flight demonstrations in the F-14D Tomcat, performing
in front of more than five million spectators.
John joined the Blue Angels in September 2003. He has accumulated more than 1,900 flight hours
and 292 carrier arrested landings. His personal decorations include Air Medal with Combat
Distinguishing Device, four Strike Flight Air Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals with Combat
Distinguishing Device, two Navy Achievement Medals, the Battle Efficiency Award and various
other service and unit awards.
|
|
