Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Christopher Dike
Cmdr. Christopher Dike a native of Marshfield, Wisconsin. He received his commission through the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Navy ROTC in 2005, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Naval Science. He was selected for the Immediate Graduate Education Program to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology. He earned a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 2006 before beginning flight training. Dike was designated a Naval Aviator in June 2008 and reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3 for fleet replacement training.
Dike’s operational duty assignments included the “Blackjacks” of HSC-21, serving as first lieutenant, flight officer, and assistant operation officer. He deployed to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, and Basrah, Iraq as a member of the 2515th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment in 2009 and 2011, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Next, Dike served aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), forward deployed naval forces in Sasebo, Japan. He held positions of V-3 hangar deck officer, V-1 flight deck officer, and officer-in-charge (OIC) aboard Japan Maritime Self Defense Ship “Hyuga” (DDH 181), supporting Kumamoto Earthquake Relief. Most recently, Dike served his department head tour with the “Legendary Black Knights” of HSC-4 in Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), deploying to the South China Sea and conducting the US Navy’s first carrier port call to Vietnam since the Vietnam War. He held the positions of administrative officer, training officer, operations officer, and OIC of HSC-4’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) detachment aboard US Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WSML-750).
Dike’s shore assignments include an instructor tour as a “Fleet Angel” of HSC-2, holding positions as training device officer, flight officer, assistant training officer, and training officer. After his department head tour, Dike attended the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, completing his Phase I Joint Professional Military Education and earning a Master of Arts with Distinction in Defense and Strategic Studies. Following, he reported to Naval Aviation Training Support Group, New River as the executive officer and OIC of VMTT Det 204.
Dike is currently proudly serving as the commanding officer of the Naval Aviation Training Support Group, New River where he is responsible for the training and maturation of V-22 aviators, aircrewmen, and maintainers in support of the Naval Aviation Enterprise C-2A to CMV-22B transition.
Dike has executed over 2300 flight hours in various aircraft, primarily in the MH-60S and the MV-22. His awards include the Strike/Flight Air Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, and various other campaign, unit, and service awards.