Leadership
Welcome to the Mighty Shrikes of Strike Fighter Squadron NINE FOUR, an integral part of the long and proud heritage of Naval Aviation for over 60 years. The command is based ashore at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California where we maintain and operate 10 FA-18F Super Hornets as an element of Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN.
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Commanding Officer
COMMANDER
MATHEW MORGAN
UNITED STATES NAVY
Commander Morgan, a native of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering. He reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola where he completed Aviation Preflight Indoctrination then Primary and Intermediate Naval Flight Officer instruction in Training Squadron (VT) 4 and Advanced training in VT-86, finishing on the Commodore's List with Distinction and as a Chief of Naval Air Training Distinguished Graduate, earning his "Wings of Gold" as a Naval Flight Officer in the spring of 2002.
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Executive Officer
COMMANDER CHRIS NICOLETTI, UNITED STATES NAVY
Commander Chris Nicoletti, a native of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, was commissioned in 2002 through the Villanova University NROTC program. He received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and was selected to attend flight training in Pensacola, Florida. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer in November 2003 and reported to the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) in the F/A-18F Super Hornet at Strike Fighter Squadron ONE TWO TWO (VFA-122). Commander Nicoletti is a recipient of the 2015 Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic LCDR Michael Longardt Leadership award. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards. Commander Nicoletti has accumulated over 2500 hours and 450 arrested landings.
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COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
DEWAYNE BENJAMIN, UNITED STATES NAVY
Master Chief Dewayne Benjamin, hails from Oakland, California. He joined the United States Navy in 1996 after graduating from Butte Junior College with an Associates of Science. He also holds a Bachelor of Business Management and Master of Arts in Education, Leadership and Administration from Trident University. Master Chief Benjamin is married with three children, ages 16, 14, and 11. His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (seven awards), Army Achievement Medal, Navy Expert Rifleman Medal, Navy Expert Pistol Medal and various campaign and unit awards. He attributes all his personal awards and success to his family, mentors, and the Sailors with whom he has proudly served with, exemplifying the Navy's Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.
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Ombudsman
Rachal Ryan, UNITED STATES NAVY
Originally from Lapeer, Michigan. Rachal Attended Liberty University: obtaining degrees in: Christian Counseling, Psychology/ Military Resilience, and Public Administration. While stationed at China Lake she was given the honor of representing VX9 as their first civilian fun boss. Utilizing her employment at the City’s Chamber of Commerce to create events that fashioned an opportunity for service members and their families to not simply “feel” a part of the community, but to actively participate in making it a better place for everyone.