Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Jeremiah "Preacher" Farwell
Cmdr. Farwell, a native of Berthoud, Colorado, graduated from the University of Colorado in 2003, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program and reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, for flight training in November 2003 and earned his Naval Aviator Wings in June 2005. In March 2020, Cmdr. Farwell received his Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies degree from the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
He completed initial training in the SH-60F Seahawk and HH-60H Seahawk helicopters with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 10 in San Diego, California, and reported in May 2006 to the “Chargers” of HS-14 stationed in Atsugi, Japan. While a “Charger”, he completed six Western Pacific patrols aboard the aircraft carriers USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and USS George Washington (CVN 73).
Cmdr. Farwell reported to the “Fleet Angels” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 2 in June 2009 as an Instructor Pilot in the MH-60S Seahawk helicopter. While a “Fleet Angel”, he detached to Haiti in support of Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief and graduated the Rotary Wing Weapon School in Fallon, Nevada, as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI).
He joined the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 staff in June 2012 and deployed aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While assigned to CVW-1, Cmdr. Farwell was selected as an HSC Department Head.
In May 2014, he reported to the “Nightdippers” of HSC-5 as a department head and deployed aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and to Erbil, Iraq, supporting Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) during Operation Inherent Resolve.
Following his department head tour, he served as the Helicopter Sea Assignments detailer to PERS-43 from September 2016 to February 2019 and was selected to command a squadron.
Cmdr. Farwell reported to HSC-11 “Dragonslayers” as the executive officer in May of 2021 and completed an extended nine-and-a-half-month deployment aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). While on deployment, he assumed command of HSC-11.
Following his command tour, he reported to the Chief of Naval Operation’s (CNO) OPNAV N3/N5 staff in January 2024 as the Navy’s Personnel Recovery program manager, Current Operations Deputy, and CNO Battle Watch Captain.
In August 2024, Cmdr. Farwell rejoined the “Fleet Angels” of HSC-2 as the Commanding Officer.
He has accumulated over 3,700 flight hours in 5 aircraft including 34 combat missions. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards) and various service awards and ribbons.