Commanding Officer
Captain Tom Clarity
Captain Tom Clarity graduated cum laude from Villanova University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. He received his commission from the NROTC program, attended flight school, and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 2001.
Captain Clarity's first operational assignment was to the Gauntlets of VAQ-136 in 2003. While assigned to the Gauntlets the squadron completed deployments in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM, and numerous patrols in the western Pacific Ocean while embarked on USS KITTYHAWK (CV 63).
He was subsequently assigned to the EA-18G Fleet Introduction Team (FIT) to establish tactical training requirements for the EA-18G before reporting to VAQ-129 as a member of the initial cadre of EA-18G Fleet Replacement Squadron instructors.
In 2010, he deployed to Afghanistan and augmented a joint special operations task force assigned in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
In 2011, Captain Clarity was assigned to VAQ-138. During this tour, the Yellow Jackets deployed to Al Asad Airbase, Iraq, in support of Operation NEW DAWN and to southwest Asia in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
In 2013, he attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and graduated with Highest Distinction in 2014. While attending he was selected for operational squadron command.
In 2015 he reported to VAQ-131 as the squadron’s executive officer and took command of the “Lancers” in 2016. While in command, the squadron executed its first deployment with the EA-18G, flying 270 combat missions from the deck of USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77) in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
In 2018, Captain Clarity reported to USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76), the only U.S. Navy aircraft carrier permanently forward deployed to Japan, as the ship’s operations officer. He completed two deployments throughout the western Pacific before detaching to join the faculty of the Naval War College in 2020, and received the Vice Admiral Thomas R. Weschler Award for Inspirational Teaching.
Captain Clarity’s awards include Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medals (five Strike/Flight, one individual action with Combat Distinguishing Device), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, Navy/Marine Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and various unit campaign and service awards.
