Captain Clemons graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1996 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. After earning his Naval Flight Officer wings in 1997, he reported to VAQ-129 “Vikings” for training as an Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECMO) in the EA-6B Prowler.
In 1999, Captain Clemons transferred to Japan joining VAQ-136 “Gauntlets” attached to CVW-5 embarked in USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63). His first flight with VAQ-136 was over Iraq in support of OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH. He conducted operations throughout the Western Pacific with units from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Australia. He was selected by his peers for the 2001 "Commander Noel Greene Inspirational Leadership Award."
Returning to the States in 2002, he served as a fleet replacement instructor with VAQ-129. During this tour, he attended the Aviation Safety Officer course at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He was selected as the 2005 "Instructor ECMO of the Year."
Following his tour at VAQ-129, Captain Clemons served as a Strike Warfare Officer at Joint Special Operations Command, Aviation Tactics Evaluation Group in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Deployments included support to Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) while augmenting various joint task forces.
In 2007, he returned to the fleet as a Department Head assigned to VAQ-130 “Zappers”. There he deployed with CVW-3 on board USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) in support of OIF. He was chosen for the 2009 Electronic Attack Community, Commander Naval Air Forces' Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award (Category III).
After completing his Department Head tour, he attended the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, earning a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies.
He reported as Executive Officer to VAQ-139 in 2011 as part of the “Cougars” Prowler sundown cruise attached to CVW-14 aboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) supporting OEF. There he transitioned to the EA-18G Growler taking Command as the “Cougars” earned Safe-for-Flight. He led the readiness build flying the new aircraft including the first carrier detachment assigned to CVW-17 aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70), first Fighter Det, and first Electronic Warfare Advanced Readiness Program Det.
Turning over command in 2014, he was assigned to Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific as the N81/N8C Future Manpower/Readiness Requirements Officer followed by a return to Japan in 2016 to serve as the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan/Commander Navy Region Japan N3/N5/N7 Operations/Plans and Policy/Training Assistant Chief of Staff.
Captain Clemons is currently assigned to NB Coronado as the base Commanding Officer.
He accumulated over 2,600 flight hours and 650 carrier arrested landings in the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Strike/Flight Medal (2), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3), and multiple unit, service, and campaign awards.
Last Updated: 7 March 2022