The Fourth of July parade’s grand marshal this year is Vice Adm. Douglas Verissimo, also known by his call sign, V8.
Verissimo assumed his duties as Commander, Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet in February 2026. Previously, he was executive officer aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), and commanding officer of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).
He also was assigned to Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 25, was catapult and arresting gear officer aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and was a demonstration pilot for the Blue Angels for one of his shore tours.
This was an email exchange between The Coronado News and Verissimo.
Q: Why did you decide to join the Navy?
Verissimo: As a kid growing up in Massachusetts, I was a “gear head.” I was interested by anything with an engine, or anything that could go fast – cars, tanks and planes. I was shaped by the space program, a visit to the National Air and Space Museum and movies about flying. At some point I got it into my head that I wanted to become a Navy pilot. It seemed unattainable, but a recruiter convinced me that it was possible, and I am grateful for her and that conversation.
Q: What kept you in the Navy for all these years?
Verissimo: It remained, and remains, enjoyable. I’m the kind of person who likes coming through a new front door every two or three years: starting a new but similar adventure and finding ways to have a positive impact in the lives of the sailors who safeguard our freedom. My father was a mason, and the lessons I learned from working alongside him showed me the importance of working hard and working for those around you.
Q: How was flying with the Blue Angels for shore duty? Any fun tidbits about doing that as an assignment?
Verissimo: Flying with the Blue Angels was a dream come true. It was an incredibly rewarding but also challenging assignment and helped me understand the importance of trusting the work of those around you. The expectations for everyone on that team are so high. Because you fly just inches between you and the planes around you, there is no room for error. Flying with the Blue Angels honed my flying and instilled in me the importance of precision.
Just as important, however, was the assignment I had after flying with the Blues, which was becoming a “shooter” (a catapult officer, responsible for launching aircraft from carriers) on the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). When I began the tour, it wasn’t the job that I wanted, but it’s probably the job that taught me some of the foundational principles that are still important to me today: ownership, accountability, and leadership at all levels in a very large organization.
Q: For you personally, what has been the most important part of your job?
Verissimo: In February, I became the head of Naval Air Forces; a position that is colloquially referred to as the “Air Boss.” In this role, I’m responsible for preparing the totality of the Navy’s airplanes and aircraft carriers (nearly 100,000 sailors, marines and civilians and nearly 3,000 aircraft) to operate across the globe to keep our country safe. This is a massive undertaking, and I certainly do not do any of this alone. I’ve followed and led at many levels during my 39 years in the Navy, and I use these experiences to give me the perspective to make the best decisions I can to generate combat-ready Naval Aviation forces for our nation’s leaders.
Q: What does service mean to you?
Verissimo: To me, service means deliberately making choices to positively affect those around you. Military service is the path I’ve chosen, but there are so many ways to serve others, and make a difference in your corner of the world.
Q: Is there a moment or experience that has stood out to you in all your years that has changed how you view your job, the military, your life?
Verissimo: I think that our aircrew (the pilots, naval flight officers and enlisted personnel that operate the systems inside of the aircraft) get a lot of notoriety and praise because you can see them when they step out of the aircraft. But the work done by the aircraft maintainers is critical to flight operations. Without our electronics technicians, ordnancemen and other aviation rates, the aircrew cannot fly. This massive population of technical experts are the true unsung heroes of naval aviation, and I want them to know how much I appreciate their hard work. It takes all of us to make the machines work.
Q: What does celebrating the Fourth of July mean to you and why is it important to you?
Verissimo: No matter where I’ve been on July 4, even if I was deployed, I always take a moment to pause and think about our nation’s founding and first principles and the incredible individuals I’ve had the opportunity to serve alongside. U.S. Navy sailors are some of the finest people I’ve met. Their ability to care for their shipmates, be good neighbors in their community, and do incredibly hard things far from home for long periods of time to benefit Americans they’ve never met continues to astound me.
Q: What does this country’s 250th mean to you and what do you think it means for the country and its people?
Verissimo: Last year was the Navy’s 250th birthday, and this year we celebrate our country’s 250th – both incredible milestones that are only possible because of the tenacity and passion of the American people. The story of the U.S. Navy, and of the United States of America, is one of determination, innovation and a stalwart commitment to excellence and preserving independence.
Q: What does living in America mean to you?
Verissimo: The ability we have as Americans to “dream big” and pursue excellence is an incredible thing.
Q: What about America do you want to serve and protect?
Verissimo: All of it. During my lifetime, and during my time in the Navy when I have lived in so many different corners of America, I’ve met so many incredible people. They’re hardworking, inspiring and care about those around them. I have lost count of the number of times I’ve been out in the community, and I’ve been stopped by someone who thanked me for my service. It humbles me each time and reminds me that we’re all connected as Americans.
Q: What does having independence and freedom in this country mean to you?
Verissimo: It represents immense choices, and the ability to choose your own path and pursue happiness, with opportunity for all of us.
Q: Is there anything else you want to say about service or the Fourth of July that I haven’t asked you?
Verissimo: I appreciate … the opportunity to participate in the parade. I want to thank your readers for their support of the Navy. Just as our predecessors have for the past 250 years, there are sailors standing watch today across the globe to keep Americans safe, and I’ll be thinking about them in particular this July 4th.
