Lieutenant Commander Ifiok O. Ekong a native of New Jersey via River State, Nigeria, enlisted in the Navy in 2000. He attended RTC Great Lakes and began his career as an Aviation Structural Mechanic. 12 years later and a Chief Petty Officer, he was commissioned as a Limited Duty Officer and later re-designated to an Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer.
His Sea Duty assignments include FLEET LOGISTICS SUPPORT SQUADRON FOUR ZERO (VRC-40), ONE ONE TWO (VAW-112), where he deployed to the Fifth, Sixth, and Seven Fleet AOR with the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67), USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73), and USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74) carrier strike groups, as a Technician, Supervisor, Leading Petty Officer, and Chief Petty Officer. CARRIER AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING SQUADRON ONE ONE SIX (VAW-116) where he served as Material Control Officer and Maintenance Material Control Officer. STRIKE FIGHTER SQUADRON THREE FOUR (VFA-34) and USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) where he deployed to the Fifth, Sixth, and Seven Fleet AOR with the USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70), USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71), and USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75) carrier strike groups, as the Maintenance Material Control Officer, Avionics and Armament Division Officer, and Quality Assurance Officer.
His shore assignments include CARRIER AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING SQUADRON ONE TWO ZERO (VAW-120) and AIRBORNE COMMAND & CONTROL LOGISTICS WING, where he served as a supervisor, Fleet Introduction Team Subject Matter Expert, Maintenance Material Control Officer, and Readiness Officer.
LCDR Ekong attended the Limited Duty Academy, Newport, RI and Aviation Maintenance Officer (AMO) School in Milton, Florida. He is a graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics, and a Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering. His personal decorations include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5), Navy Achievement Medals (5), and various other unit and campaign awards.
LCDR Ekong reported as the Navy Executive Officer, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 (MALS-24) in May 2024. Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment, a sub-command of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TEN (CPRW-10), and is assigned to MALS-24 for cooperative, integrated intermediate Maintenance of all Navy-Marine Corps aircraft MCAS Kaneohe Bay.