Thomas Frosch

Thomas Frosch grew up in Clinton Township, MI, and graduated from Fraser High School in 1988, where he lettered in football. He went on to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he also played football, graduating in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy.

Tom began aviation indoctrination at NAS Pensacola in 1993, then completed primary training in the T-34C Turbo Mentor at NAS Corpus Christi and advanced training in the T-45 Goshawk at NAS Kingsville. He earned his wings of gold in 1995.

He started his career in the F/A-18 Hornet with VFA-106, the “Gladiators,” before joining VFA-87, the “Golden Warriors.” During this tour, he deployed aboard USS John F. Kennedy and USS Theodore Roosevelt, flying in support of Operations Southern Watch and Allied Force in Kosovo. He was recognized as the 1999 Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic Pilot of the Year.

In 1999, Tom was selected for the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, graduating in 2000 and serving at VX-23 as a test pilot. He returned to the fleet in 2003 with VFA-192, the “World Famous Golden Dragons,” forward deployed to Atsugi, Japan, where he held department head positions and deployed aboard USS Kitty Hawk, flying in support of Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom.

After earning a Master’s in National Security and Strategic Studies at the Naval War College, he was assigned to NATO at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium, where he also deployed to Afghanistan with the International Security Assistance Force. He later served as Executive Officer, and then Commanding Officer, of VFA-146, the “Blue Diamonds,” leading a deployment aboard USS Ronald Reagan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

CDR Frosch joined the Blue Angels as Commanding Officer in 2012. Over his career, he has logged more than 3,300 flight hours and 830 carrier arrested landings.

Tom translates the lessons he mastered in this wide variety of team leadership roles into practical insights for leaders in any industry or setting.

His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, Air Medal with Combat Valor Device (six Strike Flight) and Gold Star, Navy Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars (one with Combat Valor), and the Naval Aviator Badge, along with numerous unit, campaign, and service awards.

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