Colonel Joshua Wort, of Tewksbury, New Jersey, graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. After commissioning, he completed The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, graduated with E Company in 2006 and received his Naval Aviator wings at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field in 2007. 

After completing CH-53E fleet replacement aircrew training with Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron (HMHT) 302 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina, and CH-53D series conversion training with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24 aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, Colonel Wort reported to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 463. With them, he deployed twice to Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and participated in the 2010 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6). Colonel Wort then reported to HMHT-302 at MCAS New River in 2012 for a two-year tour as a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor.   

Colonel Wort reported in 2014 to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland for developmental test pilot training at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. Graduating in 2015 with Class 148, he then reported to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 for duty as an H-53 Project Officer. At HX-21, he conducted numerous developmental flight test efforts on the CH-53E, MH-53E, and CH-53K.

In 2019, Colonel Wort reported to the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopter Program Office (PMA-261) where he served as the Assistant Program Manager for Systems Engineering for the CH-53K. During his tenure, the CH-53K program successfully started and completed Initial Operational Test and Evaluation and stood up the first fleet CH-53K squadron.

In 2022, Colonel Wort reported to the F/A-18 & EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265) where he served as the Deputy Program Manager, F/A-18A-D. While there, he oversaw all aspects of life-cycle management for the Legacy Hornet fleet, from fielding the APG-79(V)4 radar to planning for sundown of the platform.

Following his tour at PMA-265, Colonel Wort reported to National Defense University’s Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, where he earned a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy and completed the Senior Acquisition Course. After graduation, he reported to the Advanced Tactical Aircraft Protection Systems Program Office (PMA-272), where he served as Assault Aircraft Survivability Equipment Integrated Product Team Lead. He assumed command of PMA-261 in June 2026.

Over his career, Colonel Wort has accumulated over 2,200 flight hours in more than 38 models of aircraft. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal (Strike/Flight) and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.