Capt. Christopher Dentzer

Captain Dentzer graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and was commissioned as an Ensign in 2000. He was designated a naval aviator in 2002.

Dentzer’s operational assignments include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 in Beaufort, South Carolina, VFA-37 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and VFA-25 in Lemoore, California. He also served as the commanding officer of VFA-25 from 2017 to 2019.

Ashore, Dentzer graduated from the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in 2006 and reported to Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic in Virginia Beach as a strike fighter tactics instructor. He also served as a division chief at United States Central Command in Tampa, Florida, from 2019 to 2022. Dentzer earned an Executive Masters in Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2008 and a Masters in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in 2015.

Dentzer has deployed seven times aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. He also served as the battle director at the Combined Air Operations Center in Al Udeid, Qatar in 2022.

Dentzer has accumulated over 3,200 flight hours, 500 arrested landings, and 80 combat missions. His personal awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal, Strike Fighter Air Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), and various campaign and unit awards.