Captain John "Bag" Hefti, USN

Naval Aviator. TOPGUN Graduate. Commanding Officer. Youth Sports Coach. Beloved Husband and Father.

Bag's Guiding Philosophy

These weren't just words to John "Bag" Hefti—they were a way of life. Play Hard, Have Fun, Same Team. Whether flying F-14s off aircraft carriers, coaching Little League, or gathering friends around a backyard bonfire, Bag approached every aspect of life with enthusiasm, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to the people around him.

"The best teams aren't built on talent alone—they're built on heart."

That's how Bag coached. That's how he led. That's how he lived.

The Nickname

Everyone called him "Bag." The nickname stuck from his earliest days, and by the time he was an adult, few people even remembered his given name. To his Navy colleagues, his coaching families, his lifelong friends—he was simply Bag.

The name fit him perfectly. Like a trusted duffel bag, he was dependable. Like a bag full of surprises, he always brought joy. And like something you carry with you everywhere, he stayed close to the people he loved.

A Three-Sport Athlete

Bag graduated from Woodbridge High School in Virginia in 1981, where he excelled as a three-sport athlete:

• Football: Quarterback, named All-Conference his senior year
• Baseball: Pitcher and shortstop
• Basketball: Point guard

He was also a member of the National Honor Society and played trumpet in the school band—demonstrating early the same blend of athletic excellence, academic achievement, and team spirit that would define his entire life.

Captain Hefti's Naval Academy & Aviation Career

Recruited by multiple college football programs, Bag chose the United States Naval Academy, where he played quarterback on the Junior Varsity team. He graduated in 1985 with an Engineering degree and was selected for Naval Aviation training at NAS Pensacola, Florida.

Designated Naval Aviator: March 1987

TOPGUN Graduate

Bag was selected for and completed the elite United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program—better known as TOPGUN. This distinction placed him among the Navy's finest fighter pilots.

Squadron Assignments

Bag's naval aviation career took him around the world:

• VF-101 "Grim Reapers" — Flight instructor (1987-1989)
• VF-41 "Black Aces" — Air Wing Landing Signal Officer; deployed for Operation Desert Storm
• VF-103 "Jolly Rogers" — Maintenance Officer; Operations Deliberate Forge and Southern Watch
• VF-213 "Black Lions" — Commanding Officer; post-9/11 deployments for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom
• Tactical Support Wing — Commander of reserve air wing in Fort Worth, TX
• Fighter Wing Atlantic — Readiness officer
• AFSPC/NORAD — Aide to Commander
• Chief of Naval Personnel — Navy's first diversity officer
• U.S. Fleet Forces — Deputy Chief of Staff for Fleet/Joint Training

He earned a master's degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College.

Post-Naval Career

Bag retired from active duty in 2013 and worked as a client manager and performance improvement coach in the oil and gas industry.

In 2016, he returned to government service as Aviation Program Manager at U.S. Fleet Forces Command, eventually becoming Executive Director of Training—a role he held until his passing.

Coach Hefti: Virginia Beach Youth Sports Legend

Outside military circles, Captain Hefti became best known as a youth baseball and basketball coach in Virginia Beach. He was recognized throughout the coaching community for his patience, inspirational leadership, and unwavering commitment to developing player skills and confidence.

"Coach Hefti" understood that youth sports build character and leadership—lessons he wanted to pass to the next generation. He spent countless hours on fields and courts, not for the wins, but for the young people he was helping to grow.

"He taught me that being on a team isn't about being the best player—it's about making everyone around you better."

That's what we hear again and again from the people Bag coached. He didn't just teach skills. He built character. He built leaders.

The Man Behind the Legend

Those who knew Bag remember his quick wit, his natural talent for impersonation, and his humble spirit. He was a man who:

• Enjoyed grilling and loved having backyard bonfires
• Would break out the karaoke machine at a moment's notice
• Cherished boating, playing catch, beach trips, and watching sunsets with family
• Made everyone feel like the most important person in the room
• Never met a stranger—only friends he hadn't made yet

"His laugh could fill a room and his heart could fill a stadium."

Family meant everything to Bag. He is survived by his wife Patricia (Creamer) Hefti and their sons Jay, Adam, and Shane.

A Life Cut Short

On October 4, 2021, Bag passed away in a car accident. The Virginia Beach community lost one of its most beloved members.

The outpouring of love and remembrance that followed showed just how many lives Bag had touched—from fellow naval aviators to Little League players, from Navy families to neighbors.

See Bag in the News — including the dedication of the John "Bag" Hefti Global LVC Operations Center in his honor.

The Founding of Bag's Buddies

When Bag passed, his family and friends knew they had to do something. The idea of his spirit fading was unthinkable.

So they created Bag's Buddies.

The Captain John "Bag" Hefti Memorial Scholarship Foundation was born from love—a way to ensure that Bag's spirit of generosity, teamwork, and joy would continue to inspire future generations.

Today, Bag's Buddies:

• Awards scholarships to Virginia Beach student-athletes who embody his values
• Provides youth sports support to remove financial barriers
• Brings the community together at Bag's Big Bash
• Fields a racing team that runs for the cause

Meet our board — Bag's family and friends

Carrying Forward His Spirit

The best way to honor Bag's memory is to live by his example:

• Give your all in everything you do
• Find reasons to laugh and bring joy to others
• Lift up the people around you
• Remember that we're all in this together

That's what our scholarship recipients do. That's what the Bag's Buddies community does. That's what we invite you to do.

Join Bag's Team

You can be part of Bag's legacy:

• Support our mission — Help young athletes stay in the game
• Attend Bag's Big Bash — Celebrate with the community
• Run with us — Race for a cause at the Shamrock Marathon
• Share your memories of Bag — We'd love to hear your stories

In loving memory of Captain John "Bag" Hefti, USN (Retired), who passed away October 4, 2021. His spirit continues to inspire all who knew him and all who carry forward his legacy.

Play Hard, Have Fun, Same Team.