CDR Emily Stellpflug is a native of Sandusky, Ohio. She graduated from the United States Naval Academy 2005, earning a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture. She subsequently entered flight training and earned her wings in June 2007.
CDR Stellpflug reported to Helicopter Sea Combat HSC-23 in 2008, flying the MH60S. As a member of the “Wildcards”, her deployments included: Operation Continuing Promise on USS BOXER (LHD-4), 5th Fleet Logistics on USNS RAINIER (T-AOE-7), 2515thAir Ambulance out of Udairi, Kuwait, and Basrah,Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, and RIMPAC exercise on USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD-6).
In 2011, CDR Stellpflug was selected as an Instructor Pilot in the TH-57B/C and was assigned to the “Hellions” of HT-28. While assigned to HT-28, she flew over 1200 instructional hours and was selected as the Training Wing Five Instructor Pilot of the Year for 2013. Following that, she spent a year at Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey. In 2014, she graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School with a Master of Arts in Financial Management and was a War College honor graduate for Joint Professional Military Education (JPME I).
In 2015, CDR Stellpflug reported as a Department Head to HSC-6. During that assignment, she deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve as the Detachment ONE OIC on board USNS MATTHEW PERRY (T-AKE-9) and as the squadron Maintenance Officer on board USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71). Upon completion of her Department Head tour, CDR Stellpflug served as Deputy to the Assistant Chief of Staff (ACOS) for the N8/9 directorate at THIRD FLEET, the directorate for Requirements and Experimentation.
CDR Stellpflug served as the second Commanding Officer of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron FIVE ZERO (VRM-50) from 2022-2024. As a plankowner, she stood up the CMV-22’s Fleet Replacement Squadron and led the squadron to train its first students. Following that, she served as the CMV-22 and C-2 Requirements Officer on the OPNAV N98 staff. Most recently, she earned a Master of Science in National Security Strategy at the National War College. She now serves as faculty at the Eisenhower School at the National Defense University.
During her career, CDR Stellpflug accumulated over 3,400 flight hours. Her personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. Additionally, she was the winner of the 2019 CAPT Joy Bright Hancock Leadership Award and the 2022 John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership.