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Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 “BattleCats”

Commander Scott "Ace" Lippincott

Commanding Officer, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73

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Photo By: 230512-N-VD554-1001
VIRIN: 230512-N-VD554-1001
CDR Lippincott is a native of Lafayette, CO and graduate of the University of San Diego where he earned a Bachelors in Business Administration. He was commissioned via NROTC as an Ensign on 24 May 2004 and earned his wings of gold on 6 Oct 2006.
CDR Lippincott’s first operational assignment was with the HSL-49 Scorpions flying the SH-60B where he deployed aboard the USS THACH (FFG 43) in support of OEF/OIF and again with the USS JARRETT (FFG 33) as the Detachment THREE Maintenance Officer. He then served as Squadron NATOPS Officer and departed the Scorpions after being selected as the 2010 HSL-49 “Pilot of the Year”.
In July 2010, CDR Lippincott was assigned as an MH-60R FRS Instructor at HSM-41 where he was the CNAP NATOPS Evaluator for the SH-60B and the squadrons only dual-series qualified pilot. While there he accumulated nearly 400 Instructor hours and was selected as Editor-in-Chief for the Naval Helicopter Association’s professional magazine, Rotor Review.  
CDR Lippincott completed his disassociated tour aboard PCU AMERICA (LHA 6) where he was assigned as the ships first Handler/V-1 Division Officer and departed as Mini Boss. He completed a deployment around South America earning his OOD Underway qualification and became a Plankowner on the USS AMERICA (LHA 6) when she was Commissioned in San Francisco, CA on 11 Oct 2014.
In December 2016, CDR Lippincott returned to flying with the HSM-78 Blue Hawks for his Department Head tour where he was assigned as the Combat Element THREE Officer-in-Charge, deploying to the South China Sea aboard USS DEWEY (DDG 105). CDR Lippincott was then assigned as the Squadron Maintenance Officer where he again deployed to the Western Pacific aboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) with CVW-2. During his tour, HSM-78 was awarded the 2018 Battle “E” and CDR Lippincott was selected by his peers for the 2018 CNAF “Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award”.
CDR Lippincott then reported to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL for his Joint Tour at the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). He was assigned to the J3-JCT where he was the Action Officer for all Special Operations Forces (SOF) exercises in the EUCOM AOR. While at USSOCOM, he earned an MBA from the University of Arizona and completed JPME II.
CDR Lippincott was then selected for Operational Aviation Command and reported as XO for the HSM-73 Battlecats in February 2022 where he deployed to the Western Pacific aboard the USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) with CVW-17. He assumed Command of the Battlecats in May 2023.
CDR Lippincott has flown over 2,400 hours and has nearly 600 shipboard landings. His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal w/ Gold Star, Navy Achievement Medal w/ Gold Star, and various other unit and individual awards.   He and his wife Julia have two boys, Colton and Eugene. His father Harlan served as an FTG aboard USS Henry W. Tucker (DD 875) in the Vietnam War and his sister Sabrina served as a CTR aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1) during Operation Enduring Freedom.
 

Leaders

Commander Scott "Ace" Lippincott

Commanding Officer, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73

Commander Matt “Hambino” Henrich

Executive Officer, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73

Command Master Chief David J. Sequira

Command Master Chief, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73


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