A native of Frederick, Maryland, Commander Diehl graduated from The University of Maryland in 2005 earning a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection Engineering. CDR Diehl was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in January 2006 and reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for flight training. CDR Diehl was selected for the E-2 Hawkeye training pipeline and reported to VAW-120 “Greyhawks” for initial qualification training, earning his Naval Flight Officer Wings in June 2008.

CDR Diehl began operational flying with the “Black Eagles” of VAW-113. While a “Black Eagle,” he made three deployments aboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76), participating in OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, OPERATION NEW DAWN, and OPERATION TOMODACHI. During this tour, CDR Diehl graduated from the E-2 Advanced Mission Commander’s Course.

CDR Diehl reported to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) in January 2012 where he attended the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (CAEWWS) and the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), qualifying as a Hawkeye Weapons and Tactics Instructor and TOPGUN AIC. CDR Diehl served as the Command and Control representative in the N5 (STRIKE) department, where he was the VAW fleet liaison, Air Wing Fallon Dynamic Targeting SME, and CAEWWS Strike Warfare SME.

CDR Diehl returned to the fleet as a Training Officer with the “Sun Kings” of VAW-116 in January 2015, where he deployed aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE. CDR Diehl subsequently reported, once again, to the “Black Eagles” of VAW-113 in December 2016 for his Department Head tour where he completed two Western Pacific deployments aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70), serving as the Safety Officer, Operations Officer, and Maintenance Officer.

Following the completion of his Department Head tour, CDR Diehl was selected to serve as a Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, serving in the Chairman’s Action Group Strategic Engagements Team.

CDR Diehl has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours in 12 aircraft. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal (3 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards) and various campaign and service awards.

Last Updated: 13 February 2023