Commanding Officer, NSF Diego Garcia
Captain John “Grommet” Wilson is a native of Lothian, Maryland and graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, 1998. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1999 through the Officer Candidate School in Pensacola FL. Upon earning his “Wings of Gold” in 2002, CAPT Wilson selected for EA/ 6B “Prowler”, the U.S. Navy’s carrier based electronic attack platform stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA.
After completing his initial EA/6B training at VAQ-129 , CAPT Wilson started his first operational sea tour with VAQ-137 “Rooks” embarked on the USS Enterprise (CVN 65), where he participated in OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, 2003-06.
In 2006, CAPT Wilson returned to VAQ-129 as an EA/6B instructor pilot, where he also earned his Prowler Tactics Instructor qualification from Electronic Attack Weapons School. While at VAQ-129, he was selected as an Army Individual Augmentee (IA) assigned to Joint Crew Composite Squadron One stationed in Bagdad, Iraq as Counter Radio Control Improvised Explosive Device (RC-IED) Future Operations Officer, where he directed tactics and procedures for countering the RC-IED threat in Iraq from 2009-10.
Upon completing his IA, CAPT Wilson selected as Department Head with VAQ-142 “Graywolves” embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN-68), where he performed duties at a Tactics, Administration, and Operations Officer. His next tour was to Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, J-5, Pakistan Afghanistan Coordination Cell (PACC) at the Pentagon. Where he served as Afghanistan Action Officer and Executive Assistant from 2013-15.
In 2015, CAPT Wilson reported to Naval Air Station Kingsville, TX as Executive and Commanding Officer for VT-22 “Golden Eagles” training the next generation tactical jet Naval Aviators.
Upon completion of Command tour, CAPT Wilson then reported to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) as Operations Officer from 2018 to 2020.
Prior to his arrival at U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia, CAPT Wilson served as Naval Warfare Department Head and Director of Strike Projection Evaluation and Air Warfare Research (SPEAR) at Nimitz Operational Intelligence Center, Office of Naval Intelligence.
CAPT Wilson’s wife LTCOL (USAFR) Libby Wilson also serves the nation as Executive Officer for the 439rd Air Refueling Wing at Joint Base Andrews. Their family includes two daughters Lauren and Caitlyn.