Faculty

Captain Michael “Pepe” Carambas was commissioned from the University of San Diego Naval ROTC program with a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics. He is also a graduate of the Air University’s Air War College in Maxwell AFB, AL earning a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies, completing Joint Professional Military Education Phases 1 and 2 and earning Joint Qualified Officer (JQO) designation. 

Designated a Naval Flight Officer in December 1989 he reported to the "Screwtops" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE TWENTY THREE (VAW-123). Embarked in USS America (CV 66) he made two combat deployments in support of Operation DESERT STORM.

“Pepe” Carambas reported in May 1993 to the E-2C FRS, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE TWENTY (VAW-120) serving as a flight instructor. In June 1995, he was assigned to Commander, Carrier Air Wing SEVEN (CVW-7) as Surface Warfare Strike Operations deploying in USS George Washington (CVN 73) to the Adriatic Sea supporting combat operations during Operation Decisive Endeavor and the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.

His joint duty assignment was on the Joint Staff (J8), Washington DC in the Joint Theater Air and Missile Defense Organization (JTAMDO). In December 1999 he reported to the "Wallbangers" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE SEVENTEEN (VAW-117) for his department head tour. He deployed in USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to the Western Pacific and North Arabian Sea flying combat missions during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Designated a Weapons Tactics Instructor (WTI) by Naval Strike Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), he served as the Officer-In-Charge of the Hawkeye Weapons and Tactics Unit (WTU) and Training Officer for Commander, Airborne Early Warning Wing Pacific.  His overseas tour was in Yokosuka, Japan serving aboard the Navy's forward deployed aircraft carrier, USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), assigned as the Air Operations Officer in February 2003. He joined the ship enroute to the Arabian Gulf to conduct combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

Selected for aviation command, he reported to Training Squadron FOUR (VT-4) at NAS Pensacola as Executive Officer in June 2005 and assumed command in July 2006. CAPT Carambas’ next operational assignment was Air Operations and Plans Officer where he subsequently “fleeted up” as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations and Plans Officer (N3) for Commander Carrier Strike Group ELEVEN, embarked in USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to include an extended combat deployment in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

CAPT Carambas' reported to the Navy War College in July 2010 where he is currently a member of the Military Faculty.