Cmdr. Matthew J. Iwanczuk
Executive Officer, USS Vella Gulf (CG 72)
04 June 2021
A surface warfare officer, Cmdr. Iwanczuk is a native of Connecticut and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in US history. At sea, Cmdr. Iwanczuk served as Ordnance Officer and Strike Officer aboard USS James E. Williams (DDG 95); Operations Officer aboard PC Crew Echo; Weapons and Combat Systems Officer aboard USS Barry (DDG 52); and Executive Officer aboard USS Philippine Sea (CG 58).
Ashore, Cmdr. Iwanczuk served as Training Officer for Patrol Coastal Squadron One, and as aide-de-camp to the Director, J9, for US Forces-Iraq. He also served as a watch team leader for US Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System Romania.
Cmdr. Iwanczuk completed his Integrated Air and Missile Defense Warfare Tactics Instructor production tour as the Ballistic Missile Defense Training Lead for Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center Detachment Dahlgren, Virginia. He has served on teams that have been recognized with numerous awards and is the recipient of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign, and
service awards.