Commanding Officer
Cmdr. Colleen M. Minihan

A native of East Islip, New York, Cmdr. Minihan graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in English. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in 2019.

Upon completion of initial flight training, she was designated as a Naval Flight Officer in 2004 and reported to Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4), in Kaneohe Bay, HI for her initial sea tour flying the P-3C. As a Skinny Dragon, she deployed to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet AORs in support of Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM.

Subsequently designated as a Naval Aviator in 2010, Cmdr. Minihan reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWENTY-TWO (HSC-22), in Norfolk, VA flying the MH-60S. As a Sea Knight Junior Officer, she deployed aboard USNS ARCTIC (T-AOE-8) and USS IWO JIMA (LHD-7). Later, as a Sea Knight Department Head, CDR Minihan served as the Detachment ONE Officer-in-Charge aboard USNS MEDGAR EVERS (T-AKE-13) in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, and as the Safety Officer, Operations Officer, and Maintenance Officer. Most recently, she served as the Executive Officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SEVEN (HSC-7) and deployed aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) in support of Operations FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and INHERENT RESOLVE.

Ashore, Cmdr. Minihan served as an Instructor Tactical Coordinator at Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing TWO (CPRW-2) and as a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor Pilot at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO (HSC-2). She also served as the Executive Assistant to the President, U.S. Naval War College.

Cmdr. Minihan has accumulated over 2,300 flight hours of both special crew time in the P-3C and pilot time in the MH-60S. She is authorized to wear various personal, unit, and campaign awards.