Rear Adm. Joseph Hornbuckle is a native of Rock Hill, South Carolina. He is a 1992 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering and holds a Master of Science in Systems Engineering Management from Naval Postgraduate School.

He was designated a naval aviator in 1995 and assigned to Sea Control Squadron (VS) 32 where he flew the S-3B Viking. He completed two Persian Gulf deployments aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), flying more than 30 combat missions in support of Operation Southern Watch.

In 2000, he reported to the United States Embassy in London, England as an Exchange Officer with the Royal Air Force. He qualified in both the Tornado GR-1 and GR-4 aircraft, and joined No. 617 Squadron, the "Dambusters", based at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland. While with the Dambusters, he participated in combat operations in support of Operation Resinate South, the UK component of Operation Southern Watch, and Operation Telic, the UK component of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He flew over 25 combat missions, including numerous strike and urban close-air-support sorties.

As an Aerospace Engineering duty officer, his acquisition assignments encompassed multiple program management and systems engineering roles culminating as command officer and program manager of Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office (PMA-213). Additional acquisition assignments included deputy director for Test Design at Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force; senior military assistant for the Undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition and Sustainment); and vice commander
for Naval Air Warfare Center - Aircraft Division. As an individual augmentee, Hornbuckle supported combat operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Most recently, he served as commander, Fleet Readiness Centers from May 2021-August 2025.

Hornbuckle assumed his current position as Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs in August 2025.

Hornbuckle has accumulated over 2000 flight hours in eight aircraft types and approximately 400 carrier arrested landings. He is also certified as an FAA Airline Transport Pilot.