Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Katie J. Lunser
Cmdr. Katie J. Lunser, a native of Holland, New York, graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. In 2005, she commissioned as an Ensign, reported to Pensacola, Florida, for flight training, and earned her “Wings of Gold” in 2007.
In 2007, she graduated from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41 and reported to the world famous “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 45 flying the SH-60B. She deployed on USS Halsey (DDG 97) as part of the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) expeditionary strike group, volunteered for additional support to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 deployment aboard USS Rentz (FFG 46) in 2009, and deployed on USS Curts (FFG 38) in 2010.
In 2011, she reported to the “Airwolves” of HSM-40 to transition in the MH-60R and earn her instructor pilot qualification while serving as the legal officer, the production officer, and the aircrew division officer. Before leaving HSM-40, Lunser earned Officer of the Year and graduated from Florida Institute of Technology with an MBA concentrating in Information Technology Management.
In 2013, she served as flag aide to Vice Adm. Allen Myers and Vice Adm. Joseph Mulloy as OPNAV N8 and further earned a subspecialty for experience in financial management. In 2015, she reported to the world famous “Swamp Foxes” of HSM-74 and deployed with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Strike Group onboard USS Mason (DDG 87) in 2016 as the officer-in-charge. As the command’s operations officer, she supported operational tasking for Defense Support to Civil Authorities in the wake of Hurricane Irma aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and theater anti-submarine warfare on USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). During her time at HSM-74, she completed Joint Professional Military Education I at the U.S. Naval War College. In 2019, she served as the training standards officer for United States Special Operations Command J3-Training and Education.
Lunser currently serves as the commanding officer to HSM-50 in Mayport, Florida.
Lunser is authorized to wear the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy/ Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), the Commendation Medal (three awards), the Battle Effectiveness Award (three awards), a Combat Action Ribbon, a Humanitarian Service Ribbon, as well as multiple unit and service awards.