A native of Honolulu, HI and raised in a Navy family, he enlisted in 1995 as a submarine Nuclear Electrician’s Mate and was later selected for, and commissioned through the Navy’s STA-21 BOOST program. Commander Klein graduated from Oregon State University in 2006, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He was designated as a Naval Aviator in June 2008 and reported to the HSC-3 “Merlins” for initial training as a MH-60S Pilot. 

CDR Klein has completed operational flying tours with the “Island Knights” of HSC-25 and the “Chargers” of HSC-26. He has completed two tours in Iraq with the 2515th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment, as well as multiple deployments throughout the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Odyssey Lightning, and numerous multi-national exercises. As a Department Head, CDR Klein served as the Safety Officer, Training Officer, a Detachment OIC, and Maintenance Officer with HSC-26. 

His non-flying operational tour assignment was on the USS WASP (LHD-1), where he served as the Assistant Air Boss (“Mini”). During this tour he also served as the ship’s HANGAR Officer for the first shipboard phase of operational testing for the F-35B, and earned his Fleet Officer of the Deck (OOD) qualification. 

His shore tours include a flight instructor tour with the “Fleet Angels” of HSC-2. While a “Fleet Angel” CDR Klein graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Executive MBA program. Prior to his current assignment, he was selected to stand up the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC) Warfighting Integration Cell where he facilitated multiple Integrated Warfighting Working Groups (IWWG) and developed numerous warfighting tactics, techniques, and procedures to inform operational plan developments. 

He returned to the HSC-25 “Island Knights” in April 2023 to assume duties as the Executive Officer and assumed command in July of 2024. 

CDR Klein has accumulated 2,000 flight hours in the MH-60S Knighthawk and other training aircraft. He is a graduate of the Navy Rotary Wing Weapons School. His awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal (4 awards), and various other individual and unit level awards. He and his amazing wife Monica are the proud parents of two adult sons. 

Last Updated: 9 May 2025