TW5 Leadership

Chief Staff Officer (CSO)

CDR Daniel M. Wiltfang is a native of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas. He is a 2003 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He was designated a naval aviator in January 2006. He holds a master's degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.

Wiltfang's operational sea assignments include a tour with the "Warlords" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Five One (HSL-51), Atsugi, Japan, where he flew the SH-60B Seahawk, deploying aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), USS Cowpens (CG 63), USS Shiloh (CG 67), USS McCampbell (DDG 65), and USS Mustin (DDG 89), supporting operations and exercises throughout the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility. He served as Air Operations Officer for Commander Destroyer Squadron Two (COMDESRON TWO), Norfolk, Virginia, preparing ships for deployments to the U.S. 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility, and embarked USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) for training and pre-deployment certification. He completed his department head tour with the "Saberhawks" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Seven (HSM-77), Atsugi, Japan, flying the MH-60R, deploying aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and USS Chancellorsville (CG 62).

His shore tours include serving as an advanced rotary wing flight instructor pilot at Training Air Wing FIVE, flying the TH-57 Jet Ranger with the "Factoryhands" of Helicopter Training Squadron Eighteen (HT-18) and the "Bladerunners" of Training Air Wing FIVE Helicopter Instructor Training Unit (HITU). In 2018, he attended the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he was a member of the Samuel Gravely Research Group.

In 2019, he joined the staff of the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command as a Joint Operational Planner, Joint Planning Support Element (JPSE) in Norfolk, Virginia. During his time with JPSE, he completed JPME Phase II at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, and provided planning support to multiple Combatant Commands, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff directed exercises, and the Joint Staff J-5 Joint Operational War Plans Division (JOWPD).

Wiltfang returned to Training Air Wing FIVE in January 2022 to serve as Chief Staff Officer. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Navy Achievement Medal (3), as well as multiple unit and campaign awards.