CAPT Joshua A. Sager
LEAD Deputy Director, United States Navy
- Phone: (410) 293-6022
- E-mail: sager@usna.edu
- Department of Leadership, Ethics, Law Luce Hall (Mail Stop 7-B) 112 Cooper Road Annapolis, MD 21402
Captain Joshua Sager, a Stuart, Florida native, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1995 and earned Wings of Gold in 1997. Following FA-18 Fleet Replacement training with The Gladiators of VFA-106 at NAS Cecil Field, Florida, he was assigned to The World Famous Golden Dragons of VFA-192 in Atsugi, Japan. From 1998 to 2002, he deployed three times with Carrier Air Wing FIVE (CVW-5) onboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), supporting Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and ENDURING FREEDOM.
Captain Sager reported as an Instructor Pilot and Landing Signals Officer to The Gladiators of VFA-106 at NAS Oceana, Virginia, serving as NATOPS Model Manager and Strike Phase Standardization Officer from 2002 to 2004. He then served with Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN (CVW-17) as Safety Officer and Landing Signals Officer, deploying onboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In 2006, Captain Sager reported to The Sunliners of VFA-81, serving as Safety Officer, Administrative Officer, Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer. During this tour, he deployed three times onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) and USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), supporting Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.
Captain Sager then attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he earned a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies (with distinction), and spent an additional year crushing advanced stage colorectal cancer. He then served on the staff of Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic Fleet and as Executive Officer of VFA-106 while assigned for refresher training. In 2012, he reported to The World Famous Red Rippers of VFA-11, serving as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer, and deploying onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and onboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. Following command, Captain Sager reported to U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND as Chief of Homeland Defense. During this Joint Duty, he also deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar to serve as Battle Director for the Combined Air Operations Center.
In 2018, he reported to Team Factory of Carrier Air Wing EIGHT (CVW-8), serving as Deputy Air Wing Commander and Air Wing Commander. Under his leadership, CVW-8 executed the first Fleet Flight Deck Certification, first Carrier Air Wing embarkation and cyclic operations, and first Integrated Carrier Strike Group Operations aboard the first-in-class USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78).
Captain Sager has accumulated nearly 4,000 flight hours and nearly 1,000 carrier arrested landings. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (Combat “V”), and Navy Achievement Medal. He was selected as Instructor Pilot of the Year (VFA-106), Naval Air Forces Atlantic Landing Signals Officer of the Year (CVW-17), received the Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic Mike Longardt Award for Leadership (VFA-81), and was peer-selected for the Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award (VFA-11).
