HT-18 Leadership

Commanding Officer

Commander David Kiser of Bedford, Texas graduated from Texas A&M University in 2003. He then attended Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida where he received his commission in October 2004. Following OCS, he attended Aviation Flight School where he was designated a Naval Aviator in January 2007.

In November 2007 he reported to the HSL-42 "Proud Warriors" at Naval Station Mayport. There he completed two deployments, the first was in support of the IWO JIMA Expeditionary Strike Group onboard the USS VELLA GULF (CG 72), where he conducted anti-piracy missions in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. His second deployment was onboard USS KLAKRING (FFG 42) where he served as the Air Operations Officer and participated in UNITAS PACIFIC, UNITAS ATLANTIC, SILENT FORCES Exercises, and counter drug operations.

In November of 2010 he was assigned to be the Flag Aide to Navy Region Southeast in Jacksonville, Florida.

In June 2012 he reported to the USS ESSEX (LHD 2). During his tour he served as the V-3 and V-1 division officer, as well as the Aircraft Handling Officer. While onboard, he participated in Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2012.

In June 2014, he reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California where he earned a Masters of Arts in Regional Security Studies of East Asia and the Pacific.

In January 2016 he was assigned to the Joint Improvised Threat Defeat Agency (JIDA), where he served as the Weapons Technical Intelligence Branch Chief as well as the J-3 Action Officer.

In December 2016 he reported to the HSM-35 "Magicians" at Naval Air Station North Island. As Officer-in-charge, he deployed on the USS DEWEY (DDG 105) to the SEVENTH FLEET AOR with the USS WASP ESG and participated in SSANG YONG Exercise. He also served as the Maintenance Officer, earned Officer of the Year in 2018 and 2019, the 2019 Senior Maintenance Officer of the Year, and the Coronado Chamber of Commerce VADM James and Sybil Stockdale Community Service Award.

In September 2019 he reported to USAFRICOM in Stuttgart Germany. He served in the J571 Campaign Branch as an action officer. Afterwards he served as the J5 Directorate Executive Officer.

In June 2022 he reported to HT-18 "Vigilant Eagles", at Naval Air Station Whiting Field to serve as the Executive Officer, and took over as the Commanding Officer in June of 2023.

He is authorized to wear the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (5 strike/flight), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (2 awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.