Captain Gordon A. Cross, a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) upon his graduation from the University of Michigan in 1990. He earned his wings in 1994 upon completion of advanced jet training at NAS Kingsville, Texas.

            Upon completion of Fleet Replacement training with the "Rough Riders" of VFA-125 at NAS Lemoore, California, Captain Cross reported to the "Warhawks" of VFA-97 in August, 1994. From August 1994 to February 1998, he completed two workups and one Arabian Gulf deployment onboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in support of Operation Southern Watch. He served as Landing Signal Officer, Line Division Officer, Training Officer, and Quality Assurance Officer, and was selected as VFA-97's 1997 Pilot of the Year.

            Captain Cross was selected for the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) Cooperative Program earning one and a half years of advanced study at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, before reporting to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, for USNTPS. He graduated with Class 118 in December 2000 as the Distinguished Graduate and earned a Master of Aeronautics degree. He was assigned to Test and Evaluation Squadron TWO THREE (VX-23) where he participated in developmental testing of F/A-18 E/F Flight Control Computer Software, high AOA handling qualities, departure/spin software development, external loads certification, and carrier suitability.

            Captain Cross reported to the "Sidewinders" of VFA-86 in November 2002 as a Department Head. While stationed at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, he deployed onboard the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and flew combat missions in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Captain Cross served as the Safety, Maintenance, and Operations Department Head.

            In February 2005, Captain Cross reported to the staff of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in Tampa, Florida, and served as the Chief of Experimentation and Wargaming. In this capacity, Captain Cross was responsible for identifying and developing advanced technologies to support the Global War on Terrorism and evaluate strategic and operational strategy through wargaming.

            Captain Cross joined Forward Deployed Naval Forces stationed in Atsugi, Japan when he reported to the "Royal Maces" of VFA-27 as the Executive Officer in August 2007 and assumed command in September 2008. During his tour, the squadron made multiple Western Pacific deployments onboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and the USS George Washington (CVN 73).

            Captain Cross relinquished Command in December 2009 and reported to the Navy Staff as the Head Aviation Analyst, Programming Division (N80), serving in this capacity until July 2012. Captain Cross reported as the COTD at VX-9, NAWS China Lake in March 2013.

            Captain Cross' decorations include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with Strike/Flight device, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and numerous other unit and campaign awards.