Rear Adm. Woods, a native of Ogden, Utah, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981. He was designated as a naval flight officer in April 1983 and received his master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from Naval War College in 1997.

His shore assignments include: Naval Surface Weapons Center; Bureau of Naval Personnel; EA-6B Fleet Replacement Squadron, Early Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129; Electronic Combat Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet; OPNAV N88, Air Warfare Division, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO); Navy Quadrennial Defense Review; CNO Warfare Integration Group (N00X).

His sea duty assignments include: VAQ-131 deploying aboard USS Independence (CV 62) and aboard USS Ranger (CV 61); VAQ-138 deploying aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
Woods’ commander command was VAQ-132 completing a Mediterranean/Arabian Gulf deployment with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). He also led the Scorpions on an expeditionary deployment to Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Under his leadership VAQ-132 earned the Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic Battle "E", CNO Safety "S", CNO Rear Admiral Arthur W. Radford Award, and the Commander Electronic Attack Wing U.S. Pacific Fleet, "Prowler Maintenance Squadron of the Year."

His bonus commander command was VAQ-129, the Navy’s EA-6B "Prowler" Fleet Replacement Squadron. Under his command the Vikings earned - for the first time - the Commander, Naval Air Forces "Commander Theodore G. Ellyson Award" for aircrew production excellence.

Woods’ major command was as commander, CVW 11 for two deployments aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to the Western Pacific, North Arabian Sea and Arabian Gulf in combat support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

His pre-flag joint assignments include: deputy director, Combined Air Operations Center, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar; and commander, Joint Crew Composite Squadron One leading the Multi-National Corps Iraq Electronic Warfare fight against improvised explosive devices.

His flag officer assignments include director, Strategy and Policy Division (N51), Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5); and commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF GTMO). Woods began his current command tour in August 2012 as commander, Strike Force Training Pacific.

Woods’ decorations include Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two awards), Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Strike/Flight Air Medal (five awards), United States Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards) and various other service and unit awards. He also received the National Navy League’s Vice Admiral John Perry award for excellence in Electronic Warfare.

Last Updated: 15 September 2021