Executive OFFICER
Cmdr. Brian Klidies
A native of New Lisbon, Wisconsin, Cmdr. Brian Klidies graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2002, earning a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies.
Klidies was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program and reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training in November 2002. He earned his "Wings of Gold" in August 2004.
In October 2004, Klidies reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 40 " for initial
fleet training as a SH-60B fleet replacement pilot. Klidies began his operational flying in May 2005 with the "Swampfoxes" of HSL-44. While a "Swampfox", he made two deployments aboard USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), participating in BALTOPS 2006, and Operation Enduring Freedom as part of the
Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group in 2007. He also completed two detachment deployment workups on USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Mcinerney (FFG 8) serving as the detachment maintenance officer and operations officer, respectively.
Klidies reported to the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41 "Seahawks" for helicopter transition to the MH-60R in April 2009 and then to DCMA Lockheed Martin-Owego to serve as the government flight representative and MH-60R functional check and final acceptance pilot for all MH-60R helicopters to the fleet. During this tour Klidies completed his Defense Acquisition University Production Quality Management certification.
Klidies returned to the fleet with HSL- 44 in 2011. The "Swampfoxes" were transitioning to MH-60R
helicopters making him a "plankowner" at HSM-74. While with the Swampfoxes, he completed two workups aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and USS San Jacinto (CG 56).
Following a transition from active duty to the Navy Reserves in February 2014, Klidies reported to HSL-60 as a department head. The "Jaguars" transitioned to MH-60R helicopters making Klidies a
"plankowner" at HSM-60 as well. Along with multiple C4F detachments, Klidies served as the detachment OIC aboard USS Vella Gulf (CG 55) on the first C5F for the Jaguars in over a decade.
He selected for squadron command in March 2019 and assumed the role of HSM-60 executive officer in
June 2020.
Klidies has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours in the H-60 and 17 years of flying experience. His awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), and
Various service awards and ribbons.