Commanding Officer

Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Kyle D. Wiest

A native of central Pennsylvania, Cmdr. Wiest graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2007, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History. Wiest was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, for flight training in January 2009. He earned his naval aviator “Wings of Gold” in December of 2010 and subsequently reported to the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 40, the “Airwolves,” for initial fleet training as an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter Fleet Replacement Pilot.

Wiest began his operational flying in September 2011 with the “Proud Warriors” of Helicopter Anti Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42. While with the Proud Warriors, he deployed as a Helicopter Second Pilot with HSL-42 Detachment 9 on USS Nicholas (FFG 47) conducting Airborne Use of Force operations in support of Operation Martillo and the countering transnational organized crime mission. He then returned to HSM-40 where he transitioned to the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and was a plank owner at the Proud Warriors of HSM-72. Wiest deployed as the Detachment Maintenance Officer with HSM-72 Detachment 2 to Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, in support of Task Force (CTF) 64 and Syrian Chemical Weapons destruction. Wiest also served as the Quality Assurance Officer and Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Officer while at HSM-72.

Wiest attended the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor course in September 2015, and upon graduation earned his qualification as a Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor. He then reported to the Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapon School Atlantic where he served as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer, Helicopter Advanced Readiness Program Officer, and Training Officer. Following his tour at the weapons school, Wiest reported to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 as a helicopter operations representative. During his time at CVW-3 Wiest also served as the Air Wing Readiness Officer and the Assistant Operations Officer and completed various embarkations aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).

Wiest returned to the fleet as a Department Head at the “Magicians” of HSM-35. While with the Magicians, he served as the Officer In Charge of Detachment 3, participating in two evolutions of Joint Exercise Resolute Hunter as well as supporting Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21’s execution of initial wind envelope development for the Zumwalt class destroyer onboard USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001). Wiest also served as the Training Officer and Operations Officer while at HSM-35.

Following his department head tour, Wiest reported to the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center where he served as the MH-60R Weapon School “Seahunter” Assistant Department Head as well as the MH-60R Integration Cell representative.

Wiest now serves as the Commanding Officer of HSM-46 as of January 2026.

Wiest has accumulated over 2,200 flight hours, including 2,000 in the H-60 Seahawk helicopter. His awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards) and various service awards and ribbons.