Rear Adm. Mike Spencer, a native of Annandale, New Jersey, received his commission in 1993 from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering and was designated as a naval flight officer in 1995. He is a graduate of the United States Naval War College and holds a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

At sea, as a junior officer, he deployed with Fighter Squadron (VF) 211 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9. He served as the strike and air warfare officer with CVW 1 deploying aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65). He completed his department head tour with VF 213 deploying aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) assigned to CVW 8. He commanded Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 and deployed three times with USS George Washington (CVN 73) assigned to CVW 9. He also commanded CVW 11 while deployed on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and assigned to Carrier Strike Group ELEVEN.

Ashore, he was a fleet replacement squadron instructor assigned to Fighter Squadron (VF) 101 as schedules officer, VIP coordinator and strike phase head; Maritime Domain Chief at North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command; Head Aviation Analyst with the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Programming Division; Chief of Staff and Maritime Operations Center Director for NAVCENT/U.S. 5th Fleet; and Executive Assistant for Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

As a flag officer, Spencer commanded the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center. He reported as commander Carrier Strike Group FOUR in July 2025.

He has logged more than 4,000 flight hours, 100 combat missions and 1,100 carrier arrested landings. His awards include Legion of Merit, Strike/Flight Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, along with other personal, unit, and campaign awards.

Last Updated: 9 January 2026