CAPT Mehdi “Metro” Akacem

A native of Stamford, Connecticut, CAPT Akacem graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1999, earning a Bachelor of Science in astronautical engineering. He was designated a naval flight officer (NFO) in 2000. CAPT Akacem graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 2007, with a master’s degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in aeronautical engineering. While at AFIT he was elected student president, representing a 1,250-student corps of multi-service & allied nation servicemembers and civilians. After training as an Electronic Countermeasures Officer in the EA-6B Prowler with Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129, he was assigned to the VAQ-132 Scorpions aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17. With the Scorpions, he flew combat missions in Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Joint Guardian, and graduated the Prowler Tactics Instructor course.

He was assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 in 2007 as the lead mission systems flight test project officer for the EA-18G Growler and logged some of the Growler’s first carrier-arrested landings during its sea trials aboard USS Eisenhower (CVN 69). In 2010, CAPT Akacem reported to the VAQ-141 Shadowhawks as the squadron was beginning the first-ever Growler pre-deployment training cycle, aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). While deployed to the 5th and 6th Fleet during 2011, CAPT Akacem and his squadron were the first to conduct combat operations with the Growler from the sea, supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. From 2013 to 2015, Akacem served as an action officer for the Joint Staff J-3 in the Joint Operations Directorate.

In 2016, he reported to the Sabrehawks of VT-86 and assumed command of the squadron in 2017. Following a successful command tour and selection as NAVAIR Major Program Manager-eligible, Akacem reported to USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) in 2018 as the ship’s second Air Boss.

He joined the Airborne Electronic Attack Systems Program Office (PMA-234) in 2020, serving first as the military lead for the Next Generation Jammer – Low Band ACAT I acquisition program, and then as the lead for legacy airborne electronic attack systems, responsible for life-cycle sustainment and modernization of all the ALQ-99 system employed by the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force, and the U.S. Marine Corps ALQ-231 Intrepid Tiger II family of systems.

In November 2024, Akacem joined the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office as the deputy director of the Lightning readiness division.

CAPT Akacem was selected as the Naval Test Wing Atlantic Test Flight NFO of the Year in 2009 and in 2013 was recognized with the Commander, Electronic Attack Wing Pacific Fleet Operational Excellence award. He has 2,300 flight hours in 21 different aircraft types, and over 300 carrier arrested landings in the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, and other unit and individual awards. He has two young sons whom he shares with their mother, a U.S. Coast Guard officer.