Capt. Mike Bukolt, is a native of Syracuse, New York. He enlisted in the Navy in 1997 serving as a nuclear engineering laboratory technician. His enlisted tours include: Naval Nuclear Power School, Orlando, Florida; Modifications and Additions to Reactor Facilities Prototype Power Plant in Ballston Spa, New York as a student and staff pick-up; and USS Alaska (Blue Crew) in Bangor, Washington.
Bukolt graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Management from New School University in New York City, and later attended Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida where he was commissioned as a naval flight officer. After earning his wings of gold, Bukolt began flying the EP-3 Aries aircraft with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 1. He subsequently served with the Fleet Air Reconnaissance Weapons and Tactics Unit at Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10 as a weapons and tactics unit instructor. As a department head, Bukolt flew the P-3C Orion with Patrol Squadron 1, out of Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, Washington.
His shore tours include: military assistant to the Director, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in Crystal City, Virginia; and as an action officer with United States Africa Command J8 in Stuttgart, Germany. Bukolt also had a disassociated sea tour as an assistant navigator aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in San Diego, California.
As executive officer and subsequently commanding officer of the VP-16 “War Eagles,” the squadron earned the Battle “E” and Arleigh Burke Trophy while deployed to 4th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility (AOR). Bukolt was then assigned as the Combined Task Force (CTF) 169 Deputy Theater Undersea Warfare commander, employing undersea warfare forces across the 6th Fleet AOR, in numerous operations.
He was then assigned as the CTF Shore Battle Space officer in charge of Navy Region Europe, Africa, and Central Detachment Bahrain. This duty entailed exercising command and control of force protection and security units to threats in Joint Security Area Bahrain and Cooperative Security Locations Jebel Ali and Fujairah. During this tour, Bukolt also focused on Counter Unmanned Arial Systems in Bahrain.
In August 2025, Bukolt assumed the duties of the executive officer for NAS Jacksonville.
Bukolt’s military awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (two awards), Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards) and other personal, service and unit awards.
He holds a Master of Science Degree in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego, and is a graduate of Joint Forces Staff College
Last Updated: 26 August 2025