Jeff Honnold

Planned and executed a variety of challenging and complex missions in multiple state-of-the-art military aircraft while also performing a wide array of demanding collateral duties.

Career Accomplishments

2015- Received Wings of Gold as a helicopter pilot out of NAS Whiting Field in Milton, FL with orders to HSM-40 in Jacksonville, FL, the Navy's Fleet Replenishment Squadron for the MH-60R helicopter.

2016- Completed the FRS syllabus in September of 2016, attended the Navy's SERE training and checked into HSM-72 in October. First collateral duty as a new pilot in the squadron was weekly flight schedule writing. These efforts contributed to the safe completion of 650 mishap-free flight hours and 220 simulator hours.

2017- Personally flew 150 hours in preparation for HSM-72's upcoming deployment. Delivered the most accurate torpedo drop during HARP AUTEC as evaluated by the HSM Weapons School Atlantic. Earned Helicopter Second Pilot and Night Vision Device Formation Pilot qualifications.

As squadron AV/ARM officer, led 45 sailors and three work centers in the completion of 10,020 maintance man hours, contributing to the squadron's safe execution of 1,162 flight hours.

Directed the selection, transportation and secure use of all COMSEC material during USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and HSM-72 Combat Element Two's ISATT and Group Sail underway periods. Was hand-selected to transport all squadron COMSEC material form NAS Jacksonville to NAS Fallon, Nevada for Air Wing Fallon.

2018- In February, was responsible for the writing and routing of the daily flight schedule resulting in the safe completion of 158 flight hours during the C2X underway period aboard the USS Bulkeley (DDG 84). For that same underway, was responsible for the selection, transportation, and proper use of all detachment COMSEC material.

On deployment aboard the USS Harry S Truman, earned the coveted Helicopter Aircraft Commander designation while personally flying 262 flight hours between the Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea, and North Atlantic, north of the Arctic Circle.

As Line Division Officer, led and molded 16 junior and inexperienced sailors in the squadron performing vital inspections and launch/recovery evolutions, enabling the safe completion of 1,990 squadron flight hours.

2019- As HSM-72's Combat Element One Operations Officer, used leadership, foresight and planning to coordinate over 100 mishap-free flight hours during Carrier Strike Group Eight's Sustainment Exercise in April.

Described by squadron CO as a "go to" aircraft commander for high priority flights during the high tempo operations. Credited with mentoring ten pilots through the Helicopter Aircraft Commander syllabus.

Served as aircraft commander for a HURREVAC of MH-60R's from NAS Jacksonville to Maxwell AFB during Hurricane Dorian preparations.

Ranked #1 Lieutenant out of 19 in squadron. Received orders to and reported to Training Squadron Six in Milton, FL.

2020- Completed the Instructor Under Training (IUT) syllabus to be an instructor pilot in the T-6B. Began instructing students in April. Flew over 270 instructional flight hours and 140 student sorties, also flew a T-6B solo on HURREVACs four times in the fall of 2020 to keep them away from various storms. Mentored three "onwings" through their initial student solo flights.

2021- Flew over 300 hours as an instructor pilot in the T-6B, completing 151 student syllabus events. Handled ground duties as the Squadron Ground Safety Officer and Flight Leader. As Flight Leader, managed six other junior officer instructor pilots and 74 Student Naval Aviators.

2022- Flew 224 hours as an instructor in the T-6B. Performed collateral duties of both Flight Leader and Schedules Quality Assurance (QA) Officer. Meticulous review and management of the daily flight schedules allowed for the safe completion of over 1,400 flights and 2,300 flight hours. Described by squadron CO as possessing "unparalleled knowledge as a T-6B flight instructor."

Checked into Training Air Wing Five in Milton, FL in October.

2023- As Wing PAO, was responsible for planning and conducting tours of various VIPs to around the base, while also running the command's urinalysis program and conducting required General Military Training for command personnel while also flying over 30 flight hours while attached to Wing staff.

Also was tasked with assisting in the development and execution of a new training course for hundreds of new Student Naval Aviators/Student Naval Flight officers. As the primary point of contact for Training Air Wing Five, was required to coordinate with dozens of instructor pilot peers and other base entities to ensure the smooth and successful completion of this course.