Commanding Officer
Capt. Robert Aguilar
Captain Aguilar graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. He was commissioned in July 1992, and designated a Naval Aviator in June 1995. He attended the College of Naval Command and Staff in Newport, Rhode Island, earning a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies followed by completion of Joint Professional Military Education Phase II at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA. Additionally, he is a graduate of Navy Nuclear Power School, Charleston, SC.
In July 2010 Captain Aguilar became the 52nd Commanding Officer of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron FOUR (HS-4). He led HS-4 through two Persian Gulf deployments encompassing a WESTPAC which included humanitarian assistance operations as part of Operation TOMODOACHI in Japan. Under Captain Aguilar’s leadership, HS-4 flew more than 3750 mishap-free hours and was awarded the Battle “E” and Safety “S” in recognition of the squadron’s accomplishments.
As a Junior Officer he was assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron FOURTEEN in Atsugi, Japan, followed by assignment to Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN staff, concluding with a Department Head tour in Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron FIFTEEN in Jacksonville, Florida. In August 2005, he participated in Joint Task Force Katrina providing humanitarian assistance to the citizens of New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2015, after completion of Navy Nuclear Power training he was assigned as the 25th “BIG XO” of the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) culminating with a follow-on tour as Commanding Officer USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC-20) sailing more than 44,000 miles in support of Commander SIXTH Fleet’s Theater Security Cooperation Plan.
He has completed nine deployments to all corners of the globe embarked in USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62), USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63), USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73), USS JOHN F KENNEDY (CV-67), and USS RONALD REGAN (CVN-76).
His shore tours include assignment to Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, Fallon, Nevada as an H60 SWTI and CVW Training instructor; Chief of War Games at the Missile Defense Agency in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Targets and Ranges Program Manager on OPNAV Staff at the Pentagon.
He has accumulated more than 3000 hours in the H-60F/HH. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (two), Sea Service Ribbon (9), Overseas Service Ribbon (4), and various campaign and unit awards.