Commanding Officer
Capt. M. E. Kawika Chang
Capt. M. E. Kawika Chang is a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, and lived in numerous places around the world, completing high school in Rockville, Maryland. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and commissioned via Naval ROTC. He was designated a naval aviator in August 2007.
Chang began his career with two consecutive sea duty assignments. His first, in 2008, was with the “Vipers” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 48. He deployed as the Detachment Maintenance Officer aboard USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) and USS Carr (FFG 52), supporting U.S. 6th Fleet Theater Security Cooperation, African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership operations, and U.S. 4th Fleet counter illicit trafficking operations.
In 2011, Chang transitioned to the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and began a second operational sea tour with HSL-51. He helped lead the “Warlords” through an unprecedented transition from the SH-60B Seahawk helicopter to the MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter while the squadron remained fully operational as part of the Forward-Deployed Naval Force and was re-designated Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51. From 2012 to 2014, he served as Squadron Safety Officer and Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Officer, and he was selected as the 2013 HSM-51 Pilot of the Year.
Chang completed his operational Department Head tour with the HSM-74 “Swamp Foxes.” He served as Combat Element 2 officer-in-charge aboard USS Nitze (DDG 94) as part of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Carrier Strike Group, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve and U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet contingency operations. While deployed, he earned his Officer of the Deck (Underway) qualification. He later served as Squadron Maintenance Officer and was named HSM-74’s Officer of the Year for 2018.
In 2021, Chang returned to HSM-51 as its 25th Commanding Officer. During his command tour, the “Warlords” earned the Retention Excellence Award and consecutive Battle Efficiency, Golden Wrench, CNO Aviation Safety and Capt. Arnold Jay Isbell awards.
Ashore, Chang earned a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College in 2015. He served on the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C., from 2018 to 2020 as the Combatant Commanders Exercise Engagement program manager and later as Executive Assistant to the Vice Director, J7, earning a financial management subspecialty. His most recent assignment was Deputy Director, Aviation Officer Distribution (PERS-43B), Naval Personnel Command, Millington, Tennessee.
He assumed command of HSM-40, the East Coast HSM Fleet Replacement Squadron, in July 2025.
Chang has accumulated more than 2,600 mishap-free flight hours in naval aircraft. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), various unit and service awards and he is a Joint Qualified Officer.