HELICOPTER SEA COMBAT SQUADRON TWENTY FIVE - OFFICIAL HOMEPAGE OF THE ISLAND KNIGHTS

Kyle G. Strudthoff
Commander, U.S. Navy
Executive Officer, HSC-25

Commander Strudthoff graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in August 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology. He was commissioned in February 1996 and upon completion of flight training in Pensacola, he was designated an Unrestricted Naval Aviator. Following SH-60F/H “Seahawk” training, Commander Strudthoff was assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron EIGHT (HS-8) in January 1999. During this tour he completed a deployment to the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean while embarked on USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74). He served as Schedules Officer, Aircraft Division Officer and the Assistant Operations Officer

Commander Strudthoff transferred to the “Warhawks” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron TEN (HS-10) as a flight instructor in November 2001. While at HS-10, he served as the Schedules Officer, the Assistant Training Officer and the HS-10 NATOPS Instructor as well as an assistant squadron standardization pilot and functional check pilot. He also completed the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course in Fallon, Nevada, earning his designation as a SWTI. From October 2004 until January 2005 Commander Strudthoff served as the Deputy Director at the Joint Search and Rescue Center (JSRC) in Al Udied Air Base, Qatar. He was responsible for coordinating all CSAR assets in the CENTCOM AOR and producing the daily Duty Status - Wherabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN) report.

In February 2005, Commander Strudthoff transferred to the USS TRENTON (LPD 14) in Norfolk, VA where he served as the Air Boss and Ship’s Safety Officer. While assigned he earned his Officer of the Deck (OOD) qualification. Following the ship tour, he reported to The College of Naval Command and Staff, Newport, Rhode Island where he earned his Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

In July 2007, Commander Strudthoff reported to the “Red Lions” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron FIFTEEN (HS-15) in Jacksonville, FL. He served as Training Officer and Operations Officer and deployed in support of the Partnership of Americas 2008 while embarked in USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) and again to Balad, Iraq in March 2009 in support of the Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component (CJSOAC). In June 2009, Commander Strudthoff reported to PERS 43 in Millington, TN as the Helicopter Shore Detailer. While assigned to BUPERS he was selected for advancement to O-5 and also screened for Operational Command.

Commander Strudthoff has accumulated nearly 2000 flight hours. His awards include an Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and various campaign and service medals. He is married to Sandra and they are the proud parents of Melaine, Seth and Brianna.