Commander Brian T. Conner, a native of St. Petersburg, Florida, enlisted in the Navy in 1993 serving with the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard in Washington D.C. prior to attending the Defense Language Institute where he studied Russian. He then served as a Direct Support Analyst and Operator onboard U.S. PACFLT submarines before transitioning to become a P-3 aircrewman, serving as a mission supervisor and situational analyst during operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  Selected for STA-21 in October 2001, he joined the NROTC unit at the University of Colorado, graduating in August 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He also holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida.  He was designated a Naval Aviator in August 2007.
 
He began his operational tours with the “Warlords” of HSL-51 in Atsugi, Japan serving onboard USS McCambell (DDG 85), and as Detachment Maintenance Officer and Assistant OIC onboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) in support of 7^th Fleet operations. In his second sea tour, Commander Conner served as Assistant Navigator onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS George Washington (CVN 73), deploying to the 5th and 7th Fleet AORs in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.  During his department head tour with the “Scorpions” of HSM-49, he served as Detachment OIC and squadron Operations Officer. Additionally, CDR Conner served as the OIC of a Mobile Training Team (MTT) in support of the Royal Australian Navy’s MH-60R Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS).
 
Ashore, he served as an SH-60B Instructor Pilot with the “Airwolves” of HSM-40.  He completed his tour as the SH-60B CNAF NATOPS Evaluator, prior to sundowning the SH-60B airframe for HSM-40 and the fleet.  In his second shore tour, CDR Conner served as Aviation Programs Analyst in OPNAV N801 “Bullpen” ensuring the Naval Aviation Enterprise is well positioned in support of the National Defense Strategy.
 
Commander Conner is currently serving as the commanding officer for HSM-78.
 
Commander Conner’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3), the Navy Achievement Medal (4), along with various campaign and service awards.

Last Updated: 17 April 2024