
Captain Carlos A. Medina, United States Navy
Captain Carlos A. Medina, United States Navy

A native of rural Sugar City, Colorado, Captain Carlos A. Medina attended the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering (Astronautics), with Merit. Upon commissioning, he completed flight training in Pensacola, Florida and earned his wings of gold as a Naval Flight Officer in November 1997, subsequently reporting to the EA-6B Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) VAQ-129 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington for initial training in the EA-6B Prowler.
Upon completion of the FRS in March 1999, he joined the Rooks of VAQ-137 and completed two Atlantic Ocean deployments onboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) and USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH and ENDURING FREEDOM.
From April 2002 to July 2004, Captain Medina returned to the Vikings of VAQ-129 as a flight instructor and Carrier Qualification instructor. In addition, he attended the Electronic Attack Weapons School and earned the Prowler Tactics Instructor (PTI) designation.
In 2004, Captain Medina was selected to attend the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he completed his Master of Science degree in Space Systems Engineering in December 2006.
In April 2007, Captain Medina reported to the VAQ-138 Yellowjackets as a Department Head, where he completed two Western Pacific Ocean deployments onboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM.
In December 2009, Captain Medina was assigned to United States Southern Command in Miami, Florida, including support to Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE, disaster relief following the Haiti earthquake.
Captain Medina reported to the VAQ-142 Gray Wolves in April 2012 and assumed duties as Commanding Officer in June 2013, safely guiding their return to carrier aviation after 21 years of land-based operations. He led the squadron through a nine-month extended combat deployment onboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), including support to Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, and the Gray Wolves earned the Battle "E" and Blue “M” Awards, the Aviation Safety "S" Award, the Retention Excellence Award, the Association of Old Crows Unit Award, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. U.S. Pacific Fleet selected VAQ-142 above all other submarines, ships, or aircraft squadrons as winner of the prestigious 2013 Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy.
In October 2014, Captain Medina returned to USS NIMITZ as the Ship’s Navigator, where he led the first-in-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and an untested bridge team in a successful return to sea following a 21-month maintenance period in Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Washington.
In November 2016, Captain Medina joined Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO in Lisbon, Portugal, where he served as U.S. Senior National Representative, Influence Section Head, and lead planner for Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE 18--NATO’s largest live exercise since the end of the Cold War.
In October 2019, Captain Medina reported to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan / Commander, Navy Region Japan onboard Fleet Activities Yokosuka as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Policy, where he spearheaded the Region Japan COVID-19 Response and served as shore establishment COVAX lead. In October 2021, he was elevated to Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff.
In October 2022, Captain Medina assumed duties as Commanding Officer and Professor of Naval Science of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he currently serves.
Captain Medina’s personal military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Air Medal (six Strike/Flight awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards, with Combat Distinguishing Device), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and thirty-two various unit, campaign, and service awards. He has accumulated 2,855 flight hours, 95 combat missions, and 864 carrier arrested landings.

Commander Matthew D. Woods, United States Navy
Commander Matthew D. Woods, United States Navy

A native of Franktown, Colorado, CDR Matthew Woods enlisted in the Navy in September of 1993. After completing the Naval Aircrew and Aviation Rescue Swimmer training pipeline he served as an Aviation Warfare Systems Operator at HSL-46. He deployed to the Arabian Gulf on USS O’Bannon (DD-987) for Operation Southern Watch, the Mediterranean on USS Taylor (FFG-50) for NATO exercises and the Caribbean on USS Nicholas (FFG-47) for counter-narcotics operations. During his following tour as an AW FRS Instructor at HSL-40 he was selected for the Seaman to Admiral officer program and received his commission in April of 2005. CDR Woods earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Jacksonville University and a Master of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus on Defense Acquisitions from the Naval Postgraduate School.
A career naval aviator, his operational assignments include service with the Proud Warriors of HSL-42 where he deployed to 5th Fleet for counter piracy operations on USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) and USS Farragut (DDG-99.) He deployed to the CENTCOM AOR with AFSOC 34th and 319th Special Operations Squadrons. Assigned as a “Super JO” to the Grandmasters of HSM-46 he deployed on the USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109) to the 6th Fleet AOR. Completing his Department Head tour with the Vipers of HSM-48 he again deployed to 6th Fleet on USS Churchill (DDG-81.) His shore assignments include instructor pilot with the Airwolves of HSM-40 and Officer in Charge of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces MH-60R Foreign Military Sales program training detachment. While serving in the N3, N5 and N8 directorates for U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / 5th Fleet he conducted shipboard helicopter flight training for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and qualified as a Command Missile Distribution Order officer.
He is currently assigned as the Executive Officer for NROTC Embry-Riddle University in Daytona Beach, Florida.
CDR Woods’s decorations include (Two) Meritorious Service Medals, (Thirteen) Air Medals, (One) Joint Commendation Medal, (Three) Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medals, (Five) Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various other unit and campaign awards. He has accumulated over 5,000 flight hours, 180 combat missions, and over 900 small deck shipboard landings.

Gunnery Sergeant Felix A. Arroyorobles, United States Marine Corps
Gunnery Sergeant Felix A. Arroyorobles, United States Marine Corps

Gunnery Sergeant Felix A. Arroyorobles is a native of Manati, Puerto Rico and enlisted into the Marine Corps on July 7th 2011 out of Orlando, FL. Private Arroyorobles attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina where he was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class (PFC).
In March of 2012 Private First Class Arroyorobles received orders to Jacksonville NC, Marine Corps Air Station Marine Air Logistics 26 (MALS 26) and shortly after proceeded to MALS 26, and then Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Training Squadron 204 (VMMT-204) where he served as a Data analyst. PFC Arroyorobles was promoted to Lance Corporal in June 2012. During his time with VMMT-204, LCpl Arroyorobles was recognized for his volunteerism, professionalism and was recognized as the Marine of the Quarter.
In July 2014, Lance Corporal Arroyorobles received orders to VMM-261 as the Squadron Analyst in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was promoted to Corporal in January 2014. In January 2014, Corporal Arroyorobles was then deployed to Afghanistan, learning the aspects of his MOS in a forward deployed status.
In March 2015, Sergeant Arroyorobles deployed with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) Africa as the squadron analyst, aiding in the setup of Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Systems (NALCOMIS) on British foreign ships.
In October of 2016, Sergeant Arroyorobles received orders to Drill Instructor School at Parris Island South Carolina. Upon graduation, Sergeant Arroyorobles continued his service as a Drill Instructor with Company I, 3D Recruit Training Battalion (RCTBN) and after four cycles, moved to Support Battalion. On November 2018, Sgt Arroyorobles was able to earn another MOS as a Martial Arts Instructor. On January 2019 Sgt Arroyorobles was moved to Company K, RCTBN where he would successfully serve as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant on October 2018.
In July 2020 Staff Sergeant Arroyorobles reported to Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron 162 and performed duties as a Maintenance Administration SNCOIC, Squadron Gunnery Sergeant, Martial Arts Instructor as well as the Force Fitness Instructor. Staff Sergeant Arroyo’s accomplishments with the unit included directing the VMM-162 color guard, two prestigious Marine Corps Ball ceremonies, Corporals Course PME’s, LCpl Seminars, Combat Fitness Tests, Physical Fitness Tests, and multi-level Marine Corps Martial Arts Belt advancements.
SSgt Arroyorobles then deployed on the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from February 23 to September 16, 2021, where he received a Letter of Appreciation (LOA) and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals for his actions aboard the 24th MEU.
In February 2022 Staff Sergeant Arroyorobles reported to his current duty station aboard Embry Riddle Aeronautical University where he performs his duties as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor (AMOI). Staff Sergeant Arroyorobles completed two cycles at Officer Candidate School, receiving a letter of commendation for Sergeant Instructor of the cycle. He has also received Regional Assistant Marine Officer Instructor of the year, presented by USAA at the MOI/AMOI conference. Staff Sergeant Arroyorobles conducted four Field exercises, which included the training of over 30 Marine Officer Candidates, 12 MECEPs (Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program), and 13 Officer Candidates from the Orlando Officer Recruiting Station. Staff Sergeant Arroyorobles later attended New Student Indoctrination (NSI) at Great Lake, IL, successfully training 48 Midshipman Candidates, imparting essential skills through close order drill, physical training, and Naval ship operations. In September 2023, Staff Sergeant Arroyorobles was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant.
Gunnery Sergeant Arroyorobles holds an Associate Degree in Business Administration, a Bachelor Degree in Accounting, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Gunnery Sergeant Arroyo’s personal awards include one Presidential Unit Citation, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps achievement Medals, and four Good Conduct medals.