Squadron Augment Unit | HT-18

Commanding Officer

CDR James "Kif" Kiffer was raised in a Navy family that ended up settling in Satellite, Beach Florida. He is a 2001 graduate from the University of South Florida with a BA in International Studies.

CDR Kiffer entered the Navy through the OCS program in 2002. Upon completion, he reported to Corpus Christi, Texas for primary flight training in the T-34C Turbo Mentor and subsequent advanced training in the TH-57 Jet Ranger helicopter. Earning his designation as a Naval Aviator in March 2005, he reported to HSC-3 for the FRS in the MH-60S. In January of 2006 he reported to HSC-25 the "Island Knights" in Guam and served as the Ground Training Officer, Aviation Safety Officer, Safety Officer and Quality Assurance Officer. His deployments include being embarked on the USS Essex and with the 2515 Naval Air Ambulance Detachment flying MEDEVAC in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Udairi Army Airfield Kuwait, where he served as the Safety Officer and Tactics Officer.

In 2009, CDR Kiffer reported to VT-2 as a primary flight instructor with the "Doerbirds" in the T-34C. He served as the Aviation Safety Officer, Schedule Writer and Safety Department head and held multiple standardization qualifications. He was selected for FTS (TAR) and reported to the HT-8 "Eightballers" in 2012, serving as the Reserve Department Head and the Assistant Operations Officer. CDR Kiffer transitioned to SELRES in February 2014 with HT-8, serving as the SAU Standardization Officer, Operations Officer and the Executive Officer. He was selected as HT-8 Reserve Instructor of the Year twice and holds nearly every standardization qualification in the TH-57.

CDR Kiffer has accumulated over 5,000 military flight hours, including over 3600 hours in the TH-57, and 4,000 civilian flight hours. He holds 6 FAA type ratings, ranging from the Ebraer 145 to the Boeing 747. His military decorations include the Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Navy Commendation, Navy Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal and various other personal and unit awards. He took command of the HT-18 SAU in January of 2023.