Captain Grant “Flash” Gorton Chief of Naval Operations, N98 Logistics & Readiness

Canadian born, and a native of Michigan, Captain Gorton was commissioned in 1996, and assigned to VX-9 Test & Evaluation Squadron, Pt Mugu, California. As Maintenance Material Control Officer and Assistant Test Director, he was in charge of authoring and executing flight clearances for the F-14 Tomcat. In 1997, he reported to the VF-14 “Tophatters” in Virginia Beach, Virginia as the Maintenance Material Control Officer embarked aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during the 1999 Kosovo crisis.

In 2000, he served at Fighter Wing U.S. Atlantic Fleet as the F-14 Inventory Manager. In 2003, he reported back to sea with the VF-11 “Red Rippers” as both Maintenance Officer and Maintenance Material Control Officer embarked aboard USS George Washington (CVN-73) in support of 5th Fleet multi-national strike operations. He was hand selected to execute a unilateral training mission with a mixed fleet of strike fighter aircraft located at Al Dahafrah Airbase, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In 2005, he reported as Maintenance Officer for Fleet Readiness Center Northwest, Whidbey Island, Washington. In 2007, he was selected as the Carrier Air Wing Maintenance Officer for CAG-2 embarked aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in support of both OIF and OEF. In 2008, he reported to the Electronic Attack Wing, Whidbey Island, Washington to as Assistant Maintenance Officer and EA-18G transition lead. In 2010, he screened for Major Command and was selected as the AIMD Officer on board USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). In 2012, he reported as the Maintenance Officer for the Navy’s largest Type Wing located in Lemoore California. He was also the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Leading Maintenance Officer. He is currently executing the position as the Chief of Naval Operations OPNAV-N98 Logistics & Readiness Branch Head, located at the Pentagon, Washington D.C.

Captain Gorton holds an Executive Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, California including sub-specialties in Systems Acquisition and Program Management (GE-3221), Department of Defense advanced weapon systems (GE-3222) and Financial Management (3100P). He also earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry Riddle University, Daytona Beach Florida. He has active membership in both the National Defense Industrial Association and Defense Acquisition University Alumni Association, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and life donor for the Navy’s Tail Hook Association.

His professional military credentials include Level III Advanced Acquisition certification in Production, Quality & Manufacturing and Life Cycle Logistics, and Level I in Program Management. He is a member of the Acquisition Corps (AC) and has earned his Professional Aviation Maintenance Officer Wings (PAMO). He also holds the AIRSpeed Enterprise Joint “Green, Yellow and White Belt” certifications in Lean and Six Sigma.

Captain Gorton has accumulated over 34 years of Naval Service to include 10 major deployments on six different Aircraft Carriers. In 1999, he was awarded the VADM Gerald F. Bogan Leadership Award for Maintenance Excellence and in 2005 the U.S. Atlantic Fleet Maintenance Officer of the Year. In 2013 he was awarded the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award (Large Category) for services onboard USS John C. Stennis. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards); Navy Commendation Medal (six awards); Navy Achievement Medal (four awards), Deployed Campaign Medals (11 awards) and various others. He is married to the former Melodie S. Palmer from Arlington, South Dakota. They both reside in Alexandria, Virginia.