Commander Greg McWherter is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and a 1986 graduate of
Avondale High School where he lettered in football and soccer. He attended The Citadel, where he played NCAA Division 1 soccer
for the Bulldogs and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering in 1990. He received his commission
through the NROTC program and entered aviation training at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida in June 1990. Greg continued
his training at nearby NAS Whiting Field, flying the T-34C Mentor, before moving to NAS Meridian, Mississippi to fly the T-2C Buckeye
and TA-4J Skyhawk. He was awarded his Wings of Gold in September 1992.
Edward was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) program and reported to The Basic School (TBS)
in Quantico, Virginia in 2001. Upon completion, he reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida to begin his primary
flight training in the T-34C Turbo Mentor. In November 2002, Edward reported to Training Squadron 31 (VT-31) at NAS Corpus Christi,
Texas to fly the T-44 Pegasus. He received his wings of Gold in May 2003.
In November 1992, Greg reported to the VFA-106 "Gladiators" at NAS Cecil Field, Florida for initial training in the FA-18 Hornet.
Upon completion of the Fleet Replacement Squadron, he was ordered to the VFA-131 “Wildcats” where he served as Landing Signal Officer,
Weapons Training Officer and Quality Assurance Officer. From October 1993 to February 1997, he completed two workups and deployments to
the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf with the "Wildcats" aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). He graduated from the United States
Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in May 1995 and was selected as VFA-131’s Pilot of the Year in 2006.
In March 1997, Greg reported to NAS Fallon, Nevada as a TOPGUN Instructor. During his tour in Fallon, he served as Training Officer
and the Navy’s AIM-9M/X, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System and FA-18 Air-to-Air Employment Subject Matter Expert.
Greg returned to the fleet in March 2000 as Tactics Officer and Department Head for VFA-34 at NAS Oceana, Virginia. During his tour
with the "Blue Blasters", he completed two more Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf deployments aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73)
and was selected by his peers to receive the 2003 Commander, Naval Air Forces Leadership Award.
In August 2003, Greg received orders to the United States Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. Within the Joint Requirements
nd Integration Directorate (J8), he served as the Joint Close Air Support (JCAS) Branch Chief and was responsible for identifying
mission area shortfalls and developing joint solutions through the Department of Defense. During his Joint tour, Greg completed Joint
Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I through the College of Distance Education at the Naval War College.
After completing refresher training in the FA-18 Hornet in March 2006, Greg reported as Executive Officer of VFA-192 stationed at
NAF Atsugi, Japan. He commanded the World Famous Golden Dragons through three major deployments onboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63)
from June 2007 until July 2008.
Greg assumed command of the Blue Angels in November 2008. He has over 3,700 flight hours and 950 carrier arrested landings.
His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Medals (Strike Flight),
two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various campaign and unit awards.
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