Gooch qualified as an FA-18E/F Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor WSO at Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122 Flying Eagles in all phases of FRS training and also became the first FA-18F WSO Instructor at Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific (SFWSP). After completing his tour at CSFWP / VFA-122 / SFWSP, Gooch reported to the VFA-102 Diamondbacks as a Department Head. Gooch was integral in transitioning VFA-102 from their proud history as VF-102 and was a key player in their achieving the Safe for Flight designation to start operating the FA-18F. He also helped lead the squadron in their Homeport change from NAS Lemoore, CA to NAF Atsugi, Japan.

After his tour in VFA-102, Gooch reported to Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic (SFWSL) at NAS Oceana, VA with the intention of becoming the Operations Officer. Soon after reporting to SFWSL, Gooch was picked by the Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic (CSFWL) to lead his staff as the Chief Staff Officer. Gooch fully requalified as an FRS Instructor WSO in all phases and instructed extensively with the VFA-106 Gladiators. As one of the only FA-18F Post Maintenance Check Flight (PMCF) WSOs at NAS Oceana, he also had the pleasure of flying numerous factory acceptance flights on brand new F/A-18F’s and was one of the first WSOs to operate the APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar which was revolutionary technology in Naval Aviation.

In 2007, Gooch reported for his last operational flying tour to Commander Carrier Air Wing (CVW-8) as the Air Wing Operations Officer (“CAG Ops”). His career came full circle during his CAG Ops tour as he flew extensively with VFA-213 Blacklions. Poetically, his career spanned from flying 1970’s technology F-14A Tomcats at NAS Miramar to flying cutting edge APG-79 equipped FA-18F Rhinos from NAS Oceana both with the Blacklions. Gooch completed his Naval Career with successive shore tours. The first with NAS Oceana where he filled 3 different roles. The first as the N3 (Operations Officer), followed by a period as Officer-in-Charge NAS Oceana-Dam Neck Annex, and finishing his time at Oceana as the Air Operations Officer. His final assignment as a Naval Officer was Navy Representative to the Federal Aviation Administration Central Service Area, Fort Worth, TX. Gooch retired on June 1, 2015.

Gooch is currently the Business and Operations Director at TrueNorth Church in North Augusta, SC. He also leads multiple “Wingmen” men’s groups in the Aiken, SC area. Wingmen groups are men seeking to be closer followers of Jesus Christ so that they can impact the world for Him. He currently lives in Aiken, SC with his wonderful wife CJ and their two dogs “Liberty” and “Freedom” on a beautiful little plot of land.