Milwaukee Native Earns Command of Navy Helicopter Squadron

On December 11th, 2018 Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 75 (HSM-75) conducted a change of command at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. Concluding a successful tour as executive officer, Cmdr. Daniel W. Brown was relieved by the prospective Executive Officer, Cmdr. Eli C. Owre. Cmdr. Brown is now the commanding officer for HSM-75.

Cmdr. Daniel Brown hails from South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. He earned his commission in December 2000 via Officer Candidate School and was designated a Naval Aviator in June 2002.

Cmdr. Brown began his naval aviation service flying the SH-60B Seahawk assigned to the Wolfpack (HSL 45). During his three-year initial tour he deployed twice. First, he embarked on USS Howard (DDG 83), attached to the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) assigned to the Seventh Fleet area of responsibility. He then completed a deployment aboard USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), assigned to USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) CSG in support of Operations Enduring Freedom And Iraqi Freedom.

Cmdr. Brown’s next assignment was flight instructor duty with the Seahawks (HSM 41), the west coast Fleet Replacement Squadron for the MH-60R. There he served as Commander, Naval Air Forces MH-60R Naval Aviation Training and Operation Procedures Standardization Program Manager. While assigned to HSM 41, Cmdr. Brown attended the Naval Postgraduate School, and in 2009, he earned an Executive Master of Business Administration.

Cmdr. Brown went on to become a member of the Saberhawks (HSM 77). While there he embarked aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and deployed to the Firth Fleet Area of responsibility in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Cmdr. Brown’s next assignment was his Officer in Charge/Department Head tour with the Battlecats (HSM 73). He was the Officer in Charge of the first MH-60R Combat Element aboard USS Freedom (LCS 1) in support of developmental testing and quick reaction assessment. He finished his tour with the Battlecats as their squadron Maintenance Officer and Operations Officer.

Following his Department Head tour, he attended the Naval War College where he earned a Masters of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies in June 2014.

Upon graduation from the Naval War College, Cmdr. Brown served as an action officer, Joint Staff, J-39 Directorate. While on the Joint Staff, he directly supported the Joint Information Operations Warfare Center and deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

Cmdr. Brown reported to the world famous “Wolf Pack” of HSM-75 in June 2017.

Cmdr. Brown has accumulated over 3000 flight hours. His personal awards include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and various unit and campaign decorations.