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Command Master Chief
Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) Squadron 40 FRS
HSM-40 Menu

Command Master Chief
CMDCM Derek A. Strickland


Master Chief Derek Strickland is currently the Command Master Chief for the "Airwolves" of HSM-40. A native of Montgomery, TX, he enlisted in the Navy in July 2003. After completing Basic Training, he reported to the USS Hué City (CG-66) home-ported in Mayport, FL, where he qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist.

Strickland reported to Naval Station Mayport in October of 2009, serving as Harbor Operations Leading Petty Officer. While there, he took part in both Haiti disaster relief efforts and the BP/GOMEX Oil Spill cleanup. In September of 2010, he was pinned to Chief Petty Officer.

Upon completion of his shore duty in September 2012, Strickland reported to Patrol Coastal Crew FOXTROT, homeported at Joint Expeditionary Base, Little Creek, Virginia to serve as Senior Enlisted Advisor and First LT onboard USS Typhoon (PC-5) and USS Monsoon (PC-4). In August 2013, PC Crew FOXTROT shifted homeport to Manama, Bahrain and permanently hulled onboard USS Firebolt (PC-10).

In November 2014, Strickland transferred to USS Nitze (DDG-94) homeported in Norfolk, VA as the Operations Department Leading Chief Petty Officer. In 2017, he was selected to Command Senior Chief. In February 2018, he reported to the Military Entrance Processing Station in Columbus, OH as the Senior Enlisted Advisor. In May 2018, he was promoted to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer.

In May 2019, Strickland reported to the "Fighting Swordsmen" of VFA-32, where he qualified as an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist. While there, he completed back-to-back deployments onboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Strickland is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 208) and Command Master Chief Course (Class 181). He is the recipient of the 2013 Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award and 2014 Admiral Zumwalt Award for Visionary Leadership. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), Combat Action Ribbon, and various other unit and campaign awards.

 
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