Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Scott F. Chirgwin
Cmdr. Scott Chirgwin, a native to Portland, Oregon, graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Finance option. He completed flight training in Milton, Florida, and was “winged” as a naval aviator in July 2007.
Chirgwin’s operational assignments include Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4, where he earned the Sikorsky Rescue “S” and participated in Operation Tomodachi, providing desperately needed supplies to Japan after a devastating tsunami, earning a Commendation Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal. Chirgwin then joined Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85, a special operations squadron, where he supported several Joint Chiefs of Staff international exercises to include Cobra Gold and Balikatan as well as several joint combined exchange training exercises along the Pacific Rim, earning an Army Achievement Medal. He did his “Super JO” tour at HS-11, sundowning SH-60F/HH-60H, and completing an around-the-world deployment onboard the Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Chirgwin’s department head tour was with the “Chargers” of HSC-14, where he served as admin, maintenance, and operations officer. He became fully qualified in the M197, 2.75 UGR, and APKWS before departing on his second around-the-world deployment.
Chirgwin’s shore assignments include Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California, where he earned an MBA in Acquisition and Contract Management, and was awarded the Thomas R. McClellan award for Academic Excellence.
Chirgwin has participated in operations all around the world. He has completed six operational deployments and most recently served as Title 10 deputy to JTF-GA Dual Status Commander (DSC) Brigadier General Wilson in support of COVID-19 vaccination operations. He has accumulated over 2,700 flight hours, is designated as a Seahawk weapons and tactics instructor (SWTI), and CVW SOF strike lead. Chirgwin will assume command of HSC-26 on November 16, 2023. His personal decorations include an Air Medal and various other personal and unit level awards.