Commander Blade Schallenberger

Commanding Officer, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77

29 October 2020 A native of Darby, Montana, CDR Blade Schallenberger graduated with Honors from Montana Tech of The University of Montana with a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering with a minor in Mathematics.  In April 2005, he commissioned from Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, FL.  CDR Schallenberger completed flight training at NAS Whiting Field, FL in Training Squadron SIX (VT-6) and Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT (HT-8), receiving designation as a Naval Aviator in April 2007.  He then reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light FOUR ZERO (HSL-40) at NS Mayport, FL where he received the Seahawk Award as the top graduate of his Fleet Replacement Class.

CDR Schallenberger began his operational flying in February 2008 with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light FOUR NINE (HSL-49) at NAS North Island, CA. He made two deployments while with the “Scorpions”.  First, on a WESTPAC with the USS RONALD REAGAN Carrier Strike Group embarked in USS THACH (FFG 43) and second, embarked in USS VANDEGRIFT (FFG 48) on an independent deployment. CDR Schallenberger’s deployments directly support 5th and 7th fleet operations to include CTF 152, CTF 158, Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief in response to Typhoon Fengshen, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2010, and Pacific Partnership.

CDR Schallenberger reported to Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHTEEN (HT-18) at NAS Whiting Field, FL in March 2011.  With the “Vigilant Eagles”, he attended the MAWTS-1 Nite Imaging and Threat Evaluation Laboratory at MCAS Yuma, AZ and served as the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) Night Tactics Stage Manager responsible for the standardization of all Night Vision Goggle training across CNATRA.  In August 2013, CDR Schallenberger reported to Supreme Allied Command Transformation (SACT) at NSA Hampton Roads in Norfolk, VA to serve as the Aide de Camp for LGEN Phil Jones OBE, British Army.  While with NATO, he flawlessly served within the multinational, multiservice, joint strategic command until September 2015.

CDR Schallenberger reported to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN SEVEN (HSM-77) at NAF Atsugi in May 2016.  With the “Saberhawks”, he served as Operations Officer, Combat Element OIC, Safety Officer, and the Admin Department Head.  He deployed on six FDNF patrol cycles and three detachments. Leading the way for CVW-5, he participated in numerous international multilateral exercises to include VALIANT SHIELD, TALISMAN SABER and KEEN SWORD.

Following his department head tour, CDR Schallenberger attended the College of Naval Command and Staff in Newport, RI.  He earned a Masters of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies and participated in the Halsey Bravo Advanced Research Group.  He selected for squadron command in March 2020 and reported back to HSM-77 taking over as an Executive Officer in April 2021. CDR Schallenberger assumed the role of Commanding Officer of the Saberhawks on 01 August 2022.

CDR Schallenberger has accumulated over 3,000 flight hours and his personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various service awards and ribbons.