Capt. David Collins
Chief of Staff, Carrier Strike Group Twelve
27 August 2021
Captain David S. Collins was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended high school in Bethesda, Maryland. He was commissioned upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy in May of 1999.
Captain Collins was designated a Naval Aviator in April, 2001. Upon completion of initial training in the H-46, he reported to the Dragon Whales of HC-8 in Norfolk, VA, deploying on USS IWO JIMA in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. Subsequent flying tours include duty as Operations Officer and MH-60S Instructor Pilot at HSC-3 in San Diego; and a tour at HSC-21 in San Diego flying the MH-60S, during which he served as Operations Officer, Maintenance Officer, and OIC of the 2515th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment in Kuwait. Most recently, he served as Commanding Officer of the Wildcards of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO THREE.
Captain Collins’ other duties include service as Flag Aide to the Director, Air Warfare Division on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations; a disassociated sea tour in the Air Department onboard USS IWO JIMA; U.S. Strategic Command’s liaison to the Missile Defense Agency; and, most recently, as the Chief Staff Officer for Helicopter Sea Combat Wing, Pacific.
Captain Collins has a Bachelor’s Degree in Naval Architecture from the U. S. Naval Academy, and a Master’s of Business Administration from Regis University. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Army Commendation Medal, and several other unit and service awards.