Vice Adm. Joseph Dyer is a native of Murphy, North Carolina. He was commissioned through the Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate Program following graduation from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. He received his wings in March 1971, and was selected as one of the first "Nuggets" (first tour aviators) to fly the Mach 2, RA-5C "Vigilante." He flew nationally tasked reconnaissance missions in both the Eastern and Western hemispheres.

Following graduation at the United States Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland, in June 1977 (Class 71), he served aboard the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland, in the Electronic Warfare and Reconnaissance and Carrier Suitability Branches. After 4 years at Patuxent River, Maryland, he attended Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, where he received a Master of Science in Finance.

From January 1981 until 1984, he was assigned to the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California, as the High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile Project Officer and test pilot for the initial weapons integration into the F/A-18.  Next, he was assigned as Commanding Officer, Naval Plant Representative Office, Melbourne, Australia.  There, he led a joint American and Australian team in managing the co-production of  F/A-18's for the Royal Australian Air Force.

Returning to the United States in January 1988, he attended the Defense Systems Management College. In May 1988, he was posted as the Deputy Program Manager for the F/A-18 at the Naval Air Systems Command, Washington, D.C. In that position, he led the team that developed the concept for the F/A-18E/F and spearheaded the first tactical aviation, data fusion efforts.

He was the executive assistant to Commander, Naval Air Systems Command, Washington, D.C., from March 1990 until July 1992. Subsequently, he served as the Navy's chief test pilot and commanded the Flight Test and Engineering Group, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland. From January 1994 to April 1997, he served as F/A-18 program manager leading the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (E&MD) effort on the new F/A-18E/F, the continued production and fleet support of the F/A-18C/D and all F/A-18 foreign military sales. The F/A-18 program won the Department of Defense Acquisition Excellence Award and the Order of Daedalian during this period.

Dyer was assigned as the commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, in July 1997 and one month later assumed additional responsibilities as the Naval Air Systems Command, assistant commander for Research and Engineering. In June 2000, he was assigned as commander, Naval Air Systems Command. He retired from naval service July 1, 2003.

He is an elected fellow of the society of Experimental Test Pilots.. His decorations include Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merits (four awards).

Last Updated: 14 March 2022