Master Chief Hickey is a native of Concord, New Hampshire. He enlisted in the United States Navy in January 1994 and completed Basic Training at Recruit Training Command, Orlando, Florida.  Following Recruit Training he attended Naval Aircrew Candidate School, Aviation Rescue Swimmer School, AW “A” School and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) School.  In December 1994 he reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light FOUR ONE (HSL-41), NAS North Island, California, for fleet replacement training in the SH-60B Seahawk helicopter.  He was designated a Naval Aircrewman in October 1995.
 
Upon completion of the training pipeline, Master Chief Hickey reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light FOUR NINE (HSL-49), NAS North Island, California, where he made deployments to the Middle East and Western Pacific on the USS MOBILE BAY (CG 53), USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CC 57) and the USS VANDEGRIFT (FFG 48).  In May 2000, he reported to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron ONE (VX-1), Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Maryland.  While at VX-1 he was a member of the MH-60R Electronic Support Measures development group and served on the team that completed the operational evaluation of the MH-60S helicopter.  In October 2003 Master Chief Hickey reported to HSL-43 and deployed to the Northern Arabian Gulf on the USS PREBLE (DDG 88) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  In 2005 he completed the Seahawk Weapons Tactics Instructor Course and advanced to Chief Petty Officer.
 
In October 2007, he returned to HSM-41 where he transitioned from the SH-60B to the MH-60R helicopter.  While there he served as Fleet Replacement Aircrew instructor, qualified as a Master Training Specialist, and advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer.  In June of 2011 he reported to HSM-75 where he completed the squadrons first ever MH-60R deployment in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on the USS NIMITZ (CVN 68).  In November 2014 Master Chief Hickey served as the Instructor Staff LCPO back at HSM-41 and advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer.  In October 2018 he reported to Commander Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific where he advised the Commander on Aircrew Training and Readiness issues. In February 2021 he was selected to serve as Command Master Chief.
 
In October 2021, he assumed the duties as Command Master Chief of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron SIX, NAS North Island, San Diego, California.
 
Master Chief Hickey logged over 4,700 flight hours in the H-60 B/F/H/R/S aircraft.  He is an Honor graduate of the United States Navy Senior Enlisted Academy and two time recipient of the Commander Naval Air Forces, Navy and Marine Association Leadership award

Last Updated: 7 December 2021