Executive Officer
Cmdr. Alex "Bender" Haupt
Cmdr. Alex Haupt is a native of Lodi, Wisconsin. He graduated with merit from the United States Naval Academy in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He subsequently studied at the University of Florida, earning a Master of Business Administration degree in 2016.
Haupt completed MH-60R fleet replacement pilot training in June of 2010 and reported to the “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 homeported in Jacksonville, Florida. During his first sea tour, he deployed with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 onboard USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) supporting U.S. 5th Fleet operations. After earning his helicopter aircraft commander qualification, he deployed on USS Halyburton (FFG 40) supporting anti-piracy operations and participating in Surface NATO Maritime Group (SNGM) 1.
Accumulating over 1,000 MH-60R hours in his first tour, Haupt was selected to serve at Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School Atlantic (HSMWSL) in Mayport, Florida. After completing seahawk weapons and tactics instructor (SWTI) course training in 2014, Haupt served as the surface warfare subject matter expert and instructed over 350 students across 15 iterations of the helicopter advanced readiness program.
In January of 2016, Haupt relocated to Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan, to serve as the squadron SWTI for the “Warlords” of HSM-51. Over a 12-month tour, he led multi-aircraft training detachments to Okinawa and the Korean Peninsula.
From 2017 to 2020, Haupt completed his department head tour as a “Saberhawk” assigned to HSM-77 in Atsugi, Japan. He served as officer in charge onboard USS Antietam (CG 54) and participated in three deployments onboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). He earned his maritime rotary wing mission commander qualification from CVW-5 supporting Task Force (CTF-70) operations.
Haupt’s joint duty includes a tour at the Maritime Air Division of NATO Allied Maritime Command in Northwood, United Kingdom. He served alongside 30 Allied nations in crafting NATO’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Haupt reported to HSM-79 in July 2023 as a member of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) homeported in Rota, Spain. His military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign, and service awards. He has flown over 2,800 hours across various military aircraft.