NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – Capt. David A. Ganci, Commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMVAQWINGPAC) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, turned over command to Capt. Adam B. Green during a change of command ceremony on Aug. 1, 2025.
The change of command ceremony was held at Hangar 12. The guest speaker and presiding officer for the event was Rear Adm. Darryl “D-Day” Walker, a distinguished veteran of the Electronic Attack community.
During his tenure as commodore, Capt. David “Heavy” Ganci successfully executed his mission to man, train, and equip 15 EA-18G squadrons, resulting in 42,051 flight hours, encompassing 25,431 sorties flown during training throughout various locations in the United States and combat deployments to multiple geographic combatant commands. Increasing capability, he orchestrated the integration of the Next Generation Jammer to the fleet, the largest community acquisition since the transition to the EA-18G. Most importantly, he relentlessly strove to improve the quality of life of all Sailors and their families by highlighting issues to the highest levels of Navy leadership, affecting positive changes.
Ganci previously held command of the VAQ-130 “Zappers”. He reported to COMVAQWINGPAC as deputy commodore in August of 2022. He assumed duties as commander in February 2024. Captain Ganci has accumulated more than 2,900 flight hours in the EA-6B and EA-18G. Decorations include a Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, an Individual Action Air Medal with combat “V,” Strike Flight Air Medal (6 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), and various service awards and ribbons.
Ganci has benefited from the guidance of numerous professional mentors throughout his career, but also by the guidance and counsel from his wife of 19 years, Jillian Swanson Ganci. Raising their two sons and daughter in the Navy has been challenging, however growing up as military kids, they have cultivated a sense of service and civil literacy that comes from living this unique life. Together Jillian, and their children held down the home front so that Captain Ganci could successfully lead the men and women of the Airborne Electronic Attack Community in Whidbey Island and across the globe. Ganci is retiring from the U.S. Navy after 26 years of naval service.
Capt. Adam “Pookie” Green, a native of Keller, Texas, has assumed command as the new Commodore. Captain Green graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering and earned his pilot wings in April 2005 at NAS Kingsville, TX.
A seasoned veteran of the Electronic Attack community, Captain Green’s operational assignments include tours with the forward-deployed “Gauntlets” of VAQ-136, participating in deployments onboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and USS George Washington (CVN 73). He returned to VAQ-129 as an EA-6B instructor, responsible for carrier qualifications of 58 student pilots. He served as Carrier Air Group Paddles for Commander, Carrier Air Wing NINE (CVW 9), completing two combat deployments on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in support of 5th Fleet Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NEW DAWN. Following his transition to the EA-18G Growler, he served as a Department Head (Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer) for the “Wizards” of VAQ-133, earning the Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (CVWP) 2016 Operational Excellence award. Most recently, he commanded VAQ-139, leading the “Cougars” through a challenging 10.5-month combat deployment during the COVID pandemic onboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68), supporting 5th Fleet. Under his leadership, the squadron earned the 2020 Battle “E”, Admiral Radford, CNAF Safety “S”, and Navy Unit Commendation awards, and he personally received the 2020 CDR Robert “Detox” Eastman III leadership award.
Green’s shore tours include attending the Naval War College, where he earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies with highest distinction and was named President’s Honor Graduate. He also served as the Tactical Air Requirements Officer for OPNAV Special Programs at the Pentagon and completed an Individual Augmentation deployment to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, as Battle Director at the 609th Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC).
Green has accumulated over 3,000 total flight hours and 800 carrier arrested landings in the EA-6B, EA-18G and F/A-18E/F. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit, service and campaign awards. He has been married to his beautiful wife Meredith since 2002 and they have four amazing children.
COMVAQWINGPAC provides combat ready Electronic Attack Squadrons to support Commander, Naval Air Force, fleet and combatant commander tasking world-wide while also providing electronic warfare tactical and technical development leadership and expertise. The Electronic Attack Wing is comprised of 34 officers, 77 enlisted and 66 civilians, who provide outstanding support services and operational oversight to the Electronic Attack community and respective Carrier Air Wings. Presently, the Wing oversees and coordinates the operation of 14 active VAQ squadrons, one Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), the Electronic Attack Weapons School (EAWS), and the Aviation Support Department (ASD) totaling 158 aircraft and 3,200 personnel.
