Executive Officer
Cmdr. Evan "Freaker" Cook
Cmdr. Evan “Freaker” Cook, a native of Boulder, Colorado, was commissioned in 2008. He attended flight training in Pensacola, Florida, Corpus Christi, Texas and Milton, Florida. After being designated as a Naval Aviator, he began the SH-60F/HH-60H Seahawk helicopter Fleet Replacement Pilot syllabus with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 10.
Upon completion of training in 2011, Cook was ordered to HS-14, forward deployed to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. He deployed aboard the USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS Mustin (DDG 89) from 2011 to 2013 in support of training and operations in the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility, participating in Operation Tomodachi and various multi-national exercises.
In 2013, HS-14 shifted homeport to San Diego, California, underwent an aircraft upgrade to the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter and was redesignated as a Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) unit. During this time, Cook served as the Quality Assurance Officer.
In 2014, he was selected as a Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor. After completion of the Seawolf course in Fallon, Nevada, he reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Pacific.
In 2017, Cook returned to the forward deployed naval forces at HSC-25 in Yigo, Guam, serving as the Tactics Officer, Training Officer and Weapons Officer. He would deploy aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1), where he developed tactics to integrate rotary wing assets into the Up-Gunned Expeditionary Strike Group and established procedures for Maritime Contested Search and Rescue. In 2018 he completed Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase 1 through the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College.
For his Department Head tour, he was assigned to HSC-22 in Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as Training Officer, Detachment Officer in Charge and Operations Officer from 2019 to 2021. While at HSC-22, he was instrumental in developing Manned-Unmanned Teaming doctrine between the MH-60S Seahawk helicopters and the MQ-8 Fire Scout Unmanned Aerial System, as well as the integration of composite HSC detachments aboard littoral combat ships. He deployed aboard USS Little Rock (LCS 9) in support of 4th Fleet counter-illicit trafficking and USS Wasp once again. During this tour, he was selected by his peers to receive the Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award.
In 2021, he assumed the duties as Officer in Charge of Naval Air Station Key West Search & Rescue, where he was instrumental in developing new recovery concepts for long-range Search and Rescue (SAR) and maritime mass casualty response. Under his leadership, Naval Air Station Key West was recognized as the Chief of Naval Operation Search & Rescue Model Manager Aviation Unit of the Year in 2023.
Cook assumed the role as Executive Officer for Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Atlantic in August 2024.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan and a Graduate Certificate in Program Management from Old Dominion University. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Humanitarian Service Medal (three awards), and various other personal, unit, and service awards.