Commander Christopher C. “Slimer” Dike

Commander Christopher Dike is a native of Marshfield, Wisconsin. He received his commission through the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps in 2005, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Naval Science. He was selected for the Immediate Graduate Education Program to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology. He earned a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 2006 before beginning flight training. Commander Dike was designated a Naval Aviator in June 2008 and reported to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron THREE (HSC-3) for fleet replacement training.

Commander Dike’s operational duty assignments included the “Blackjacks” of HSC-21, serving as First Lieutenant, Flight Officer, and Assistant Operation Officer. He deployed to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, and Basrah, Iraq as a member of the 2515th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment in 2009 and 2011, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. Next, Commander Dike served aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), forward deployed naval forces in Sasebo, Japan. He held positions of V-3 Hangar Deck Officer, V-1 Flight Deck Officer, and Officer-in-Charge (OIC) aboard Japan Maritime Self Defense Ship “Hyuga” (DDH 181), supporting Kumamoto Earthquake Relief. Most recently, Commander Dike served his Department Head tour with the “Legendary Black Knights” of HSC-4 in Carrier Air Wing TWO aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), deploying to the South China Sea and conducting the US Navy’s first carrier port call to Vietnam since the Vietnam War. He held the positions of Administrative Officer, Training Officer, Operations Officer, and OIC of HSC-4’s RIMPAC detachment aboard US Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WSML-750).

Commander Dike’s shore assignments include an instructor tour as a “Fleet Angel” of HSC-2, holding positions as Training Device Officer, Flight Officer, Assistant Training Officer, and Training Officer. After his Department Head tour, Commander Dike attended the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, completing his Phase I Joint Professional Military Education and earning a Master of Arts with Distinction in Defense and Strategic Studies.

Commander Dike’s personal awards include the Strike/Flight Air Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, and various other campaign, unit, and service awards. He has executed over 2000 flight hours in various aircraft, primarily in the MH-60S.

Last Updated: 2 December 2021