Chief Operational Test Director
Capt. Dan "Happy" Murphy
Capt. Dan “Happy” Murphy, a native of Bangall, New York, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and commissioned an Ensign in May 2001. He reported to Pensacola, Florida, for flight training and was designated a naval aviator in May 2002. Following fleet replacement training in the SH-60B Seahawk helicopter, he reported to the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 46, where he served as Detachment Operations Officer.
In July 2007, Murphy was assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1 as the model manager for the SH-60B and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters tactical manuals. He spearheaded the creation of the re-designated Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) community tactical flight manual.
In July 2010, he reported to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 as HSM Operations Officer and deployed with the Atlantic Fleet’s first Carrier Air Wing (CVW) to embark MH-60R and MH-60S Seahawk helicopters. He created and implemented the first Maritime Strike Lead program and completed a deployment with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group.
In June 2012, he joined HSM- 70, serving as Officer in Charge aboard USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), and as squadron Operations and Maintenance Officer during an Operation Inherent Resolve deployment. From January 2016 to December 2017, he served at U.S. Cyber Command as the lead exercise planner for the nation’s only Tier 1 joint cyber exercises, Cyber Guard and Cyber Flag.
Murphy assumed the role of Commanding Officer of the HSM-74, the “World Famous Swamp Fox,” on 30 April 2020. He deployed as a member of CVW-3 deployed aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, and Freedom’s Sentinel. He most recently completed his tour at the Pentagon as Rotary Aircraft Branch Head working on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff in the Air Warfare Directorate, N98 responsible for the resourcing and requirements for the Navy’s rotary wing force.
Murphy now serves as the Chief Operational Test Director for VX-1.
He is a graduate of the Naval War College, earning a Master of Arts degree and also holds a Master of Science degree from the University of San Diego. Murphy has accumulated more than 3,000 flight hours and is a graduate of the Naval Air Warfare Development Center Rotary Wing Weapons School. He has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Award, Meritorious Service Award (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit commendations, service and campaign awards.