A 1994 graduate of S.U.N.Y. Maritime College with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Electrical Engineering, CAPT Covelli received his commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1997. After completing initial EA-6B Prowler training with the “Vikings” of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 129, he joined the “Rooks” of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 137 and deployed onboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) in support of Operation Southern Watch. In 2001, CAPT Covelli received follow on orders to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 129 as an FRS instructor where he served as the EA-6B Night Vision Goggle Model Manager.

Selected to attend the prestigious United States Naval Test Pilot School, he reported for training with Class 123 and earned an Engineering Test Pilot Certificate in 2003. After graduation, CAPT Covelli reported to the “Salty Dogs” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 to serve as a Test Project Officer, and subsequently the Deputy EA-6B Platform Coordinator. While there, he earned a Master of Science Degree in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee.

In 2005, CAPT Covelli reported to the “Gray Wolves” of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 142 where he served as the Administration, Safety, and Maintenance Department Head. During this tour, he deployed to Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Al Asad Airbase, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

CAPT Covelli reported to Program Executive Officer, Tactical Aircraft Programs in 2008 to serve as the Airborne Electronic Attack and EA-6B Program Office (PMA-234) EA-6B Mission Systems Integrated Product Team Lead, and subsequently the Airborne Electronic Attack Products Deputy Program Manager.  While there, he earned an Executive Master of Business Administration Degree from the United States Naval Postgraduate School.

In 2011, CAPT Covelli was designated an Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer. Since then he has served as the Assistant Program Manager of Systems Engineering for the Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems Program Office (PMA-273), the Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems Program Office (PMA-272) Strike Aircraft Survivability Equipment Deputy Program Manager, the Airborne Electronic Attack and EA-6B Program Office Assistant Program Manager of Systems Engineering, and the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program Office (PMA-268) Air System Deputy Program Manager. During his tenure at the Airborne Electronic Attack and EA-6B Program Office, the Next Generation Jammer program received the NAVAIR Commander’s National Award for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation. 

Most recently, CAPT Covelli served as the Sailor 2025 Ready Relevant Learning Training Systems Program Manager and was responsible for modernizing accession level training and delivering improved course materials and hardware to support Fleet requirements across all Navy ratings.

Prior to assuming command on July 16, 2021, Captain Covelli served as the Executive Officer of the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division and Naval Support Activity Orlando.

A Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 graduate, CAPT Covelli has flown 119 combat missions and logged over 2,800 flight hours in 19 different aircraft. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (4), Air Medal – Strike/Flight (9), Navy Commendation Medal (2), and Navy Achievement Medal (3) along with various other personal, unit, and service medals.